News Analysis According to Chinese state media, Chinese leader Xi Jinping told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, “We firmly support each other on issues concerning each other’s core interests and safeguarding the dignity of each country.” Xi was referring to Ukraine and Taiwan, two global flashpoints that have become intertwined. U.S. security officials say that one of the plans that Moscow is considering is a false flag—a staged video, showing Ukraine attacking Russia, as a pretext for a Russian retaliation. If Russia invades Ukraine, the United States will impose sanctions, which may benefit China, both economically and politically. At the same time, the United States has deployed a nuclear submarine to Guam—to remind China to stay out of Taiwan. Beijing has always condemned Washington’s harsh stance on Moscow. As a member of the United Nations Security Council, China sided with Russia, blocking U.N. action on Ukraine. Furthermore, China’s economic support for …