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.
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.