Links are built for economic reasons. There are plenty of good biz reasons to direct traffic from China to Europe and the USA, not much to direct traffic through Siberia and Russia's Far East. Want to send a packet from Harbin to Vladivostok (which is quite nearby), you are probably going to go through SF or at least Japan.
People forget China and Russia were outright hostile in the 70s (one of the reasons China opened up to the US), and Russia is still probably considered a bigger adversary than far away USA.
More importantly global traffic is 24/7, but people sleep. The US has strong links to Europe and Asia AND there asleep though most of Asia's work day. So, even if the Asia - India - Europe or Asia - Russia - Europe links where just as strong they would also be in use during most of Asia's work day.
Don't forget Routers care more about congestion than how far they need to send a packet.
People forget China and Russia were outright hostile in the 70s (one of the reasons China opened up to the US), and Russia is still probably considered a bigger adversary than far away USA.