I'd like to think that General Pace is just engaging in some nice polite global-politico-speak for consumption by the diplomats and other international paperpushers, while keeping in mind that if Beijing doesn't make a course correction regarding Taiwan and other Pacific issues, that we're going to end up in a major confrontation with them, and the ChiComs don't care if Wal-Mart ends up not buying their cheap-ass products, because those consumer goods are disposable, just like millions of their citizens who would be happily sacrificed in a nuclear exchange if it meant that Beijing would prevail in some manner. They have millions upon millions of excess citizens, and the Commies are more than willing to use them as cannon fodder. General Pace knows this. He is definitely no dummy.
I'd have to agree. Gen Pace has the big stick, so it's only right that he speaks softly. The Chinese generals who feel that they need to make outrageous and incendiary statements do so because they're not in a position of strength. Pace is.