As I mentioned they get into little scraps with their neighbors. I think they can be compared to hermit who lives in his own little world and gets into feuds with his neighbors. But, is not a threat outside. They have however learned commerce and in that respect are making a few big steps forward economically. But they will not try to endanger that by their bad behavior as they would lose to much. Just think what they sanctions on Russia would do to China which would lose massive amounts of trade.
Your analogy is garbage.
Ask India about their little scraps with neighbors.
China is hated as their wolf warrior BS is nothing but lying, stealing, cheating and bullying.
What big steps economically are you talking about?
Their economy is a dumpster fire.
US and Europe are pulling out and going elsewhere like Vietnam.
No one wants their EV cars as there are junk.
Then they are flooding markets destroying economies in other countries cause they have destroyed their middle class with Xi’s paranoia.