China’s been mobilizing for war for fifty years, and so far it’s been (mostly) bluster.
They’re not going to war with Japan, where the spirit of bushido lies just under the surface.
“Can the Dragon swim?”
In the modern age, waging war is more than just military strikes. There are profound political concerns as well.
When Japan attacked Hawaii all those years ago, the optimists in her military thought that the USA, seeing the profound loses, would bow out and leave them the field.
So how do the Chinese not make the same mistake? Perhaps they can sink all the Japanese warships there and land troops on the islands? Then what? Wait for retaliation?
And if the Japaneses strike back? Will the Chinese have to sink ALL of Japan's vessels? In Japanese harbors and ports? What about American military bases in Japan that are shared with Japanese Self Defense Forces? What about international vessels? How does China stop Japan's will to fight? Starve her? Stop all commerce? What if Japanese submarines start targeting Chinese commercial trade?
And the UN? Forty-six years ago a gallant Israeli army seized the West Bank,Gaza and the Golan Heights, but still today, the POLITICAL fight continues to dispute that.
How can China ensure a quick, surgical strike that will give them possession of these islands without leading to larger war. The bottom line is that they cannot. So I do not think they are ready to face such uncertainty.
If I was Japan, I would talk about such things as cutting off Chinese trade, strikes on harbors, and using the US as a giant shield. I would do whatever it takes NOW to dispel any certainty the Chinese may develop out of a particular course of action.
“They’re not going to war with Japan,...”
They may act like they want to - but are still very afraid of the Japs (and agree - Japs will ally w/ Vietnam and Philippines - with a very interested India on the sidelines).
I think this is a new China. They might think they need a distraction from coming economic problems. They also might be thinking this would be a great time to strike and perceive the US as weak with pending defense cuts and parked carriers.
The linked article mostly talks about artillery and tanks, both of which would we worthless against Japan.