Well, I can certainly understand people's concerns. However, one unquestionable prelude to a country that is getting ready for all out war, is very obvious. They will gear their entire economy towards war production and war effort. That's what Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan did. They directed their entire economy towards war in the decade prior to WWII, whereas the United States had to build during the war.
And doesn't that make common sense? If a country really had an intention to be agressive, wouldn't they do everything in their power that they had the upper hand. Waging war is serious business and if a country starts one, wouldn't they want to build everything that they possibly can to win or to not at least suffer a humiliating defeat, aka, Nazi Germani and Imperial Japan?
There's is alot written about China's military build up. I've read dollars quoted and how big it is, the number of this equipment or that equipment being built. But no matter how you slice it or what number people put on it, it is appropriate for a country the size of China to have a large military. The main point is that it is not pushing to put all its egg in the military basket, the way the former USSR during the cold war or Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan did before WWII.
And how does THAT prove your point? All it shows is that Deng Xiaoping was more astute than Stalin through Breznev. This temporary civilian industrial emphasis was by the long-term design...the expediency of a phoney "peaceful rise."
But that is changing now that the industrial "peaceful rise" is all but accomplished...we can just begin to see the signs of communist impatience as their goals come within reach... But then, suddenly (from their perspective), they see signs the West is having doubts about Chinese sincerity. The live frog in the pot on the stove is making energetic kicks and preparing to leap out before being fully cooked...
The Chinese communists are obviously mulling whether to dispense with continuing the charade, and debate whether the West has been milked of all the technology and capital that it will peacefully permit. Note the increasing strident communist displeasure the Politboro expresses about the EU's refusal to sell arms and dual-use technology. And the U.S. "interference" with Israel's illegal re-selling of U.S. technology to China. The wheels are turning. Time for the gloves to come off? The Dragon ready to bare its fangs and claws? Soon, perhaps, soon. Patience. That is the path of deception...Sung Tsu is integral to all their moves. Keep the enemy off-guard.
Oh, you should also be aware that much of the Chinese civilian economy is "dual-use" by their design.