For now. China is building its navy and aim to have maritime supremacy in 2050, with parity with the US by 2030.
With more countries having China as their biggest trading partner than the US, Chinas ability to use embargoes as a political tool solidifies each day. China can wreck some countries economy if they stop trading with them, imagine forcing others to follow suit, it would break that country for good.
Now pair embargoes with superior naval forces and China will be able to use their military freely while twisting the arms of any country that tries to voice opposition to it. Much like the US did in the past century, to be fair.
With more countries having China as their biggest trading partner than the US, Chinas ability to use embargoes as a political tool solidifies each day. China can wreck some countries economy if they stop trading with them, imagine forcing others to follow suit, it would break that country for good.
Now pair embargoes with superior naval forces and China will be able to use their military freely while twisting the arms of any country that tries to voice opposition to it. Much like the US did in the past century, to be fair.