What this tells you is that Joe no longer has the power he once had (whether directly or through proxies). The money was never for legal representation, it was always a bribe for future favours. Now, the ability for Joe to deliver on those corrupt promises is evaporating or has evaporated. This move is China sending a signal that they know that Joe is a lame duck. A bit like how the Clinton Foundation "donations" dried up when Killiary lost.