There's always a lot of misinformation in situations like this both at the time and after the fact and they often get written the way people are led to believe they happened; it's not until later that the true course of events or results are discovered which is one of the things I like about history - there's always more to discover.
Yep, I knew about the Eastern Front (Russia) and their battles against the Germans and it was a monumental struggle for both sides that (unfortunately for those actually there) caused a lot of suffering on either side. The ambitions of the few being sought on the backs of the many as always. Thinking about this always reminds me of the movie Enemy at the Gates which you should see if you have not.
Anyway, as for the Chinese threat? It's economic for sure and down here it's something many people are concerned with, especially the way our government pander to them and bend over and spread their cheeks so eagerly. Assholes. Time will tell how that works out, but I'm ready to pop heads like melons.