"Air Dominance," is achieved when an Air Force brings together a multitude of assets in its inventory, in order establish saturated presence in an area of operation.
From UAVs, to Satellites, that provide surveillance in the area of operation. To EW aircraft that supress enemy early warning radars. To Air-Superiority fighters that ensure the skies are cleared for the bombers to hit their targets. To AEW Aircraft, which provide real time situational awareness. All of these assets come together, for sustained periods, in order to establish "Air Dominance." And a critical element to ensure that there is a sustained presence of these assets, in the area of operations, is the tanker fleet. It's not just the range which factors in dominating an air space, it's also endurance. And the latter is far more crucial in winning wars, than how far you can reach, or need to reach.
China ought to dominate the Pacific Rim. After all, this area is at China's door step and China's trade has expanded phenomenally, on a global scale. So it is only logical for China to ensure that its trade, commerce or what have you, is not susceptible to any threat. China has more trade with Asia and Africa, than America has in either of these two continents. And China, unlike America, has one coast line and it adjacent to the Pacific Rim.
Also, when an Air Force utilizes it's tankers, it is done so with these assets running circuit outside the danger zone. Wouldn't make sense to send them tankers in the thick of things, only to have them lost to a volley of AAMs. Besides, combat assets require refueling on return and/or prior to entering the air space that is being contested.
As to when China can achieve the capability to establish Air Dominance over the Pacific Rim. Well, China has another decade or so to sort itself out, before things really hit a critical point. Same goes for Russia. By 2035, things would be far too intense and volatile, for peace to ever have a chance to prevail.
Pieces on the chessboard, move at gradual pace before they hit critical. And "critical" is just round the corner.
