I observed with great interest, that though China has a huge military and has shown a willingness to use it, they also have spent over a $ trillion USD on the belt and road (BRI), even if sometimes they seem to border on usury, building bridges, schools, water treatment etc. wins more hearts and minds more than dropping bombs, and leads to a more stable friendlier future relationship that does not require force to maintain.

I wonder why the west never seemed to grasp that. I think we would do well to “out China” China and offer even better terms to help countries improve and expand their infrastructure and productivity. sadly, if that was ever a possibility, I am pretty sure we will be less likely to do so in the next 4 yrs.