And, the US is in the situation Russia was in in the late 80s......
Who is going to counter China?
Think Manifest Destiny in the 1800’s. The US was around 70 years old and beat up Britian twice + Mexico + the Barbary pirates. We were big and tough. Germany and Japan became independent nations around 1870. 70 years later they got heir butt kicked after thinking they could dominate.Think Russo japanese war. USSR came about in 1917 and the wall came down in 1989-72 years later. No war. When will China turn 70?
It all depends on who China views as an enemy at any given time during one or another given situation. As for countering China, it’s best to leave well enough alone and be thankful China isn’t interested in world conquest by military means.