As long as China is a non-interventionist country, none of what you suggest is possible.
You have made a mistake in thinking that the Chinese government is a saint, just because the Chinese civilization lost the war on the Anglo civilization 100s of years ago and became an underdog does not make them moral saints.
Beijing and the people they represent will still stop at nothing ensure China's prosperity and primacy, including any underhanded method. And if US will be a threat to that, they will be dealt with.
At most, all China can do is invest in local talent to reduce its dependence on Western technology
It is US that's dependent on Asia's technology. What is US' electronics production capability if they can't import chips nor refined materials from China, Japan or Korea?
and avoid major damage in the event of widespread sanctions across the economy, such as those in the semiconductor sector.
China doesn't have to sanction US and hope those countries follow. It can straight up military ultimatum them and bomb out the semiconductor facilities if they refuse.
US will lose its entire tech sector then if it cannot ensure continued imports.
China does not have the soft power to use its media to install an anti-US regime in South Korea and Japan. And the war in Europe has only accelerated the number of European and Russian talents going to work in the US and escaping the European decline.
Again you misunderstand, where did I name soft power?
I'm saying that after they finish their military preparations, China can simply threaten anyone into giving up US. Those that go diehard with US will get invaded.
And on top of that, with Russia and NATO moving towards a stalemate agreement on Ukraine,
A landlocked Ukranian lviv rump state more often than not simply impedes the EU.
China will not be able to count on Russia's M.A.D.
Why would they care about Russia's added combat ability? Theyre just going to borrow Russian space to fire at EU countries if EU countries act aggressive to China. Russia adds very little besides political power and resources to China.
power when the US focuses on Asia with Trump.
That's what China has been raring to do as well, for a fascist to come to Asia so it will be easy to justify vast territorial expansions.
Ideally Trump will fire the first shot, but I'm sure China can false flag it.
With the agreement in force, Russia will only be officially neutral at best, selling oil and wheat to all sides, but without involving its military and nuclear force in Asia.
Russia in the Asian front brings a laughable capability compared to China. What they will do is to stay "neutral" and fly around providing some free, most likely redundant ISR to China. They do more good doing that then fighting directly with US. And as is tradition like with Japan in ww2, they swoop in at the end, declare war on all the half dead NATO and seize new territories.