I discovered the Manchuria situation in a book of Alt-History essays years ago and was amazed at how close Chiang came to winning.
Also Chiang isn't nessecarily out of the American 'sphere'. Truman is furious but China is China, it can only be ignored and shunned for so long. Particularly as this China is open to foreign investment and has a seat on the UN Security Council.
Sandino: Chiang is loyal to whoever pays him. Think of him as Asia's Nasser. Only China is no Egypt. Fun fun fun!
campaigning down in Wales