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RE: The average Chinese has no interest in the political ideology of the past and looks upon Hong Kong with great envy.

However, I have met a number of average Chinese who, while not involved in politics, do believe in future Chinese hegemony, believe that the current norms of territorial control of litorals is wrong and that the Chinese "1000 miles out" is correct, that the PRC has a right to nearby "vassal" states (e.g. SE Asia), that Taiwan should be forced either by non military pressure, or military force, to be governed by Beijing, and, that war with the USA is inevitable. Also, significantly, whereas, ethnic Chinese in SE Asia used to be either neutral or pro Western in orientation, I note among the newer generations, a decidedly pro PRC point of view. All of this must, IMHO, be factored into ones calculations regarding overall hazard and risk analysis.

"However, I have met a number of average Chinese who, while not involved in politics, do believe in future Chinese hegemony"
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I don't doubt that at all. I suspect there are many in Russia who believe that the Ukraine, the Baltic's etc. still belong under their sphere of influence. I'm certain there are many Russians who, at one time, also believed that war with us was inevitable. I don't agree with you that the younger ethnic Chinese in SE Asia are pro PRC given the very real threat they pose to their freedom.

Again, my hope is the Chinese elites will want something more than communist rule and can influence the party toward a freer economy and political system. Whether this happens or not Chinese aggression has to be contained. If the Middle East continues to adopt democratic reforms and Russia can be pushed in the right direction, China will find itself in a box.

Additionally, I hope we continue pushing the Japanese to change their constitution so they can arm themselves to the teeth. This would give them something to do with all the dollars they have and would be a boon to our armament industry. It would also serve to stimulate their domestic economy which has been bogged down for over a decade. Having a friendly bulwark between China and North Korea would help temper any enthusiasm the Chinese communists have for expansion.