A great decision.
I don't know Far Eastern machines well. I had the view they were basically thrown together. I refused to service them years ago.
In general machines of that price and quality should only have a belt to tape counter if it is mechanical and none if it is digital.
The capstan and reel motors should be direct drive.
On my machines that is the case and if the belt broke the only thing that would not work would be the counter.
I suppose it is possible the capstan is belt drive on yours.
When you start the machine do the capstans turn?
I think that may be an auto reverse machine, and if so may have two capstans, with belt drive.
None of my machines are auto reverse, as I don't like them, because of tape skew problems, which makes perfect azimuth alignment impossible.