I hope you’re right. I’m not convinced China gives a fig what other nation’s think. I doubt the Philippines and Vietnam are on it’s next Five Year Plan card list.
Only heavy push back will blunt it’s intentions, and I’m fairly certain only then for a while as it builds it’s military assets and capabilities.
IMO, it is focused on dismantling the U. S. military presence world-wide.
I believe it has it’s fingers in things we haven’t been told of, and our leadership probably knows it full well.
I am in increasing agreement with you.
China is opposed to America.
And American “capitalists” are helping China.
This is a big, big problem.
True, it is focused on Japan because it is the strongest adversary. The Philippines might as well not have a military but they know China is the bully. The bully is picking the big boy because it hopes all the others will be intimidated too. This is probably happening because the US is so weak right now.
If Japan can get Putin to take their side, then this definitely becomes more than China can chew.