At the moment we are the big kid on the block, and I have no desire to see China equal us. As for how other countries will treat us when they are as powerful, well if it's England we won't do too badly. If it's communist China the world may well be a nightmare. If it's India I don't know, but they would be less of a worry based on past and present behavior.
Apparently you think that by recognizing China as a potential enemy, we will get less favorable treatment in the future. It doesn't work that way. We can't retreat in the present thinking we'll be treated better "someday."
I am speaking about language and it power to shape perception, calling someone your enemy over and over creates the image to the public of an aggressive China. China now and the what China will become is an important process. We still don't know the direction they will go, but we have to look as though we see a bright future even though in private we are preparing for the worse case. Presenting a constructive framework which business like and civil will calm both sides. Theodore Roosevelt "Speak Softly and Carry a Big Stick". The art and practice of diplomacy has been lost in the age of the instant sound bites.