I believe the PRC plays the long socioeconomic game. They think they can achieve world dominance through the social and economic decay of the West. Yes, become militarily strong, but why fight when the enemy destroys itself. Japan got greedy. China has almost limitless patience. Geaux Tigers!
I’ve been to China and know a fair number of Chinese on a personal basis. While they have a reputation for being very organized, they often are anything but. While they do certain high profile things well, they do many routine things shabbily (especially if no one is looking). They also use pretzel logic that often leaves me scratching my head. In short, while I respect them, they are not 10 feet tall. They are as tall, or even shorter, than they appear.
Indeed, one of the more disturbing lessons that could hypothetically emerge from this Chinese study of Midway is the conclusion that the Japanese failed to build and concentrate sufficient effort against Hawaii.
Thoughts?
Yet this approach has run its course. China must now grapple with formidable geographic, economic, structural, demographic, and cultural factors that constrain its expansion as even a regional power. Like Japan in the 1980s, China's economic model has had its run and she must soon confront internal economic and political problems that lack any clear or easy resolution.
Americans who think that China is destined to become a superpower that vies against the US should consider what the Chinese business elite believes: they flaunt US made clothing and household products as status symbols, have illegally moved billions of dollars of their personal wealth outside of China, and are urgently seeking foreign residences, foreign passports, and foreign university admissions and jobs for their children. In short, for their own futures, they are not betting on China.
Finally, Americans, above all peoples in the world, should have a sense of confidence in the ability of themselves and their country to rise to and overcome difficulties and adversaries in even the most desperate circumstances. We have a history of doing that, again and again, surprising the world -- and sometimes even ourselves. That is not a track record that one should bet against.
I believe the ChiComs laugh behind our backs watching us destroy our industrial base and ship production to them. What rubes we are.