China seems to understand the concept of soft power, something the US has been neglecting for many decades in favor of less subtle military intervention.

You mean: bribery and economic pressure? It surely isn't cultural power.

It could start helping finance infrastructure projects, schools, hospitals, universities, and so on. Along that comes the opportunity to exercise cultural influence and develop consumers and suppliers for your own industry.

It’s far less nasty than invading, freeing the people from their government and installing a puppet in its place. Also a lot cheaper. Any missile could pay for a school.

Read up on USAID.

Which countries has china invaded, illegally or otherwise? Which governments have they toppled, covertly or openly?

Tibet

Perhaps more impressively: India, after India had been early to recognize PRC and worked to get them recognized internationally.

The next country that recognizes Taiwan as a state will find out.

Ah ok, so in other words we have to consider hypotheticals in order to even try and draw a comparison to the other state in question.

So, which countries did China liberate from oppression? What did the CCP/its predecessor movement actually do? Standing aside while the NRA fought the Japanese. Instead of helping and preventing some major bloodbaths, Mao and his army just abided their time. After the power change, the Long March, the Cultural Revolution and whatever havoc I forget, China was too weak to do anything, let alone invade countries. Now it's stronger, and seems remarkably poised for war.

Your "US bad because invasion" is a tankie frame. Yes, that refers to the Tiananmen tanks.

>So, which countries did China liberate from oppression?

My friend, what are you babbling about? Are you arguing with hallucinations? Did you think I'm arguing that China is my model of a utopian society?

Again. Which countries has China invaded or toppled, outside of the imaginary ones you yearn for in your head? Is the list close to that of the US?

>Your "US bad because invasion" is a tankie frame. Yes, that refers to the Tiananmen tanks. (??)

I'm a tankie because I think invasions are bad?? What does that make you, a frothing bloodthirsty hawk? A despotic militarist?