Oh they have, one example is China aggressively redirecting trade towards the Global South, this is basically what BRI is all about. There's also a push for dual circulation and tech independence that's now bearing fruit. However, Russian experience is still valuable as it highlights what can be expected in practical terms once the trade war escalates.
i think that the global south is a dead end if the chinese can't figure out how to make it profitable fast enough.
governments like the americans have centuries worth of tribal knowledge and the experience it takes to make the global south bend to it's will and they will/are using that to grey rock chinese ambitions there and it's working.
the only counter that the chinese have, imo, is to expend their financial might in making it happen anyways despite the costs incurred like byd is doing in mexico; but doing so imperils themselves further because the biggest and strongest asset to the american war chest is it's de facto control over the world's finances. so if the chinese pursue this avenue, they should expect to be outmaneuvered wo strong allies.