Well, I can't disagree with you there. One of my best friends took part in the Tiananmen Square Massacre as a schollar subjecting herself to a hunger strike. Her best friend was killed.
The Chinese learned a lot from that day...if you want to continue that discussion, Ill be happy to.
Like you, I don't think it is in China's interest to fight a war with us. China is trying to come into the world as a whole. However I do believe that China could absorb more losses than we can inflict (short of nuclear) and laugh at us. This imbalance of the sexes makes it even more so. It might destroy them financially but for the vast majority of China nothing would drastically change. They know it and know we know it. We need to remember this when dealing with them. They have a lot to lose but they are willing to lose it. They think of time in a way we don't or can't.
T.S. was a PR nightmare but it proves one thing. China will do whatever is necessary to maintain control. They are not stupid however. Their leaders are very astute and learn from their mistakes. They would do it with much more finesse now but the end result would be the same. They weren't prepared for the world press then. They are now.
I would love to see China. I think it would give one a whole new view on the world.