China can act as if it just wants to be a global player, but building up it’s military when it has no natural enemies belies the real truth behind the bamboo mask.
I have no doubt that the Chinese people like the U.S. I have no doubt they like many western things. Frankly, I don’t see any animosity per se in U.S. Citizens or even these U.S. Citizens in particular, as it relates to the average Chinese citizen. It’s just that they have seen nations rise and fall like China, and they aren’t being fooled for one moment what China’s ultimate goal is, that being global domination.
Being a global player isn’t contingent on nuclear weapons, aircraft carriers, advanced missile destroyers, advanced stealth nuclear submarines or cavitating torpedoes. It’s based on being a good neighbor. China has already evidenced it doesn’t plan on being one. Hell, it can’t even treat it’s own populace reasonably. And if it can’t do that, what does that tell us about it’s plans for others?
Then every once in a while you have a Chinese official pop off and make some stupid comment about global domination or replacing the U.S. as the worlds leading hegemon.
You can focus on guys like Hunter if you like. I would suggest the hegemon issue is of more importance. The U.S. does not capture territory and govern it. China has never learned that model of behavior.
Much has been written about China's soft power. So, I'm not sure what you mean about not being a good neighbor.
Then every once in a while you have a Chinese official pop off and make some stupid comment about global domination or replacing the U.S. as the worlds leading hegemon.
Usually, it's some lower level official that is giving his own personal comment (not official government policy), and then it gets translated into headline news, especially in conservative papers. It happens occasionally. Hunter and especially Dobbs, continue on and on and are given the national spotlight.
You can focus on guys like Hunter if you like. I would suggest the hegemon issue is of more importance. The U.S. does not capture territory and govern it. China has never learned that model of behavior.
Hunter and Dobs have their following, so it isn't easy to just make believe they don't have any impact on US/China relations.
As far as hegemon, I don't believe the issue is that great, honestly.