I do not know exactly when or where, but I think the trend in this situation will produce election-defining events leading up to the 2008 elections. I think the Chinese hope that not to be the case, preferring to not have such events affect our next presidential selection. But I think other's reactions to China will cause China to try to play its hand a little too strongly, a little too soon, rather than later. Already they are trying to line up Russia to form joint naval "security" operations from the China sea to the Taiwan straits.
I know, they have been trying to pull Russia into this mess. If Russia gets accidentally mixed up in this conundrum, and the situation cooks up, we are probably looking at WW-III.
The fact that China is trying to co-opt Russia is totally unforgivable. Russia should turn the other cheek and spurn China's devious advances. China is playing a wicked game, and Russia should make the choice to try to defuse the situation and walk away.