How to install Chinese keyboard with IME suggestions?

I have Ubuntu Server 20.04.2 LTS VM on virtualbox. After trying multiple ways I am unable to have Chinese keyboard on vm. (I am using "ubuntu-20.04.2-live-server-amd64.iso" for my VM on virtualbox) . I have tried following:

sudo apt-get install language-pack-zh*  sudo apt-get install chinese*  
sudo apt install ibus-libpinyin  
sudo apt-get install ibus-pinyin  
# set keyboard as chinese
sudo dpkg-reconfigure keyboard-configuration 

But still it types in English.

Of the commands you mentioned, this one should be sufficient:

sudo apt install ibus-libpinyin

It pulls ibus (if not already installed) as well as im-config.

Then you should relogin in order to let im-config start ibus-daemon and set the required environment variables.

Next you need to add e.g. Intelligent Pinyin to your list of input sources. On a desktop that can be done by opening ibus-setup. Not sure about a server; it depends on whether you have enough programs to open a graphical window.

Finally you should be able to switch to Chinese via the <Super>Space shortcut.

Thanks to Gunnar Hjalmarsson, just adding on to his answer I have made a descriptive post here.

To get Chinese language IME on Ubuntu Server 20.04 LTS

1. Install ibus-libpinyin -

sudo apt install ibus-libpinyin

2. Go to Settings > Region and Language > click on “+” and add Chinese(Pinyin) to the list

3. Click on setting gear symbol here and it will show “preferences”

4. Use command “ibus-setup” and it will start ibus-daemon

Set these environment variables to keep ibus-daemon running

It will open ibus settings –

In input-method add “Chinese Intelligent Pinyin” and remove “Chinese Pinyin” if any

5. Switch to Chinese language using “super(windows)+space” key, for chinese pinyin it will show IME

6. If you get “Invalid UTF-8” error while typing in Chinese then use command –

ibus-daemon -drx