Even if that were true, it would only be an interesting bit of trivia rather than a fact with predictive power applicable to the present.

The article discusses the unprecedented rise of their manufacturing capabilities, currently unmatched. It’s not clear how information about preindustrial China would be applicable.

Not true.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_history_of_the_Tang...

Although china does not seem to try to get in wars historically. Conflicts between for example middle east and china over recorded history are not that many.

It's personal/relative, but I'd consider both the Korean and Vietnamese wars to be China's proxy war after their CCP war with the Kuomintang. They did pretty well on well (Vietnam) and preserved the status quo on the other (Korea).

If you get big enough, you don't have to fight.

Did the U.S.?

Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq...

Turkey, meet Thanksgiving.