[Frompo]

Historically China has fought wars over its borders, there is no obvious reason why they should switch to a US style expeditionary military with world wide ambitions. That the contested islands are uninhabited in that well populated part of the world should tell you enough about the conflict: it is a local squabble over potential resources, decide it in an international court all parties can agree on and stop using it as a reason to wave your carrier dicks around.

Chinese nationalism is based on its historical heritage more than anything else, and certainly is not likely to invade Iraq over rumours of WMD any of these days, nor trash Panama city after breaking up with a Noriega equivalent.

[hackuser]

> decide it in an international court all parties can agree on

An international court is about to rule on a dispute between the Philippines and China. China has said ahead of time that it will ignore the court's ruling and furthermore, AFAIK, will accept no outside authority. They insist it's only between them and the Philippines - a 'negotiation' that the Chinese can dominate through sheer power and coercion.

> there is no obvious reason why they should switch to a US style expeditionary military with world wide ambitions.

There are many obvious reasons: China has global interests and therefore needs global power, and desires to be the world's dominant power. Regardless of the reasoning, it's already happening:

* China has become highly aggressive and is threatening many of its neighbors and their territories, including Japan, the Philippines, Vietnam, India, and South Korea (indirectly via their ally in North Korea). They also threaten the United States and other nations from Europe to Africa to Australia with retaliation if China's wishes aren't complied with.

* China already is building military infrastructure from Djibouti in the Horn of Africa to the Indian Ocean (the 'String of Pearls' bases) to the South China Sea.

* China is building economic infrastructure (which can have as much influence as military) throughout Eurasia (Silk Road), Africa, and even the Americas.

[gozur88]

>Historically China has fought wars over its borders, there is no obvious reason why they should switch to a US style expeditionary military with world wide ambitions.

Historically China has been too weak to do anything but fight over its borders. There's nothing special about the Chinese character that would lead one to be comfortable assuming China won't become expansionist when it has the capability.

[studentrob]

You're right, expansionism is not specific to Chinese character, nor is it specific to westerners. It's a human quality.

Everyone wants to be safe at home. People want friendly neighbors. If neighbors declare themselves as enemies, you prepare for a fight. Diplomacy is useful. Nations can become friends by seeking common objectives.

America wasn't born as 50 states, the EU was recently formed, Russia has grown and shrunk and grown, and the same goes for China. The same metaphor works for your home or your body. Be good to various parts of it and the whole will be more capable. You can remove a gangrenous foot, or do your best to care for your body. Everyone dies. Life is a journey.