[spoiler2]

Traditional, Earth-based hegemony is one thing, but allow the Chinese to get to the Moon and establish a base of operations, when we have none......

well as they say, "this changes everything"

If there was ever a need to establish a Moon base, it looks like we are looking at one. Their establishing a military base on the Moon would be more a "point of control" than outright aggression.

[bert]

...when we have none....

Why do you postulate our having none?

If that happens, it will be the least of our worries. We will have rotted from within.