It almost looks like China doesn't want but US somehow is dragging it towards that point.

China has been mostly concerned about economic links with other countries and it has few oversea bases comparing to any of the other 4 big dogs.

It doesn't have the mindset to be a region police, let alone a world one.

China doesn't want to be the world police. It just wants the economic benefits of being the US without the security liabilities.

Yup that's the idea. It's not going to run away from that police liability very soon. Probably in 5-10 years I think. Actually already happening right now in Myanmar.

Meh.

Let's all be honest here. At the end of the day, what China wants is for everyone to shut the F up and buy a big screen TV.

Preferably on credit.

Anything that moves the world towards that goal will receive China's tacit support. Trump's moves are seen to move the world away from that goal, so we're seeing some signs of discomfort coming from China.

But believe me, it ain't because they're concerned about Ukraine or freedom or "ideals". Or even because they do or do not want to be world police.

We can't think about their goals in Western terms because the fundamentals of the thinking are just completely different.

For many Europeans that's a far easier thing to comprehend and support than what the US has done in the last few months.

Yup I do believe most of the Chinese elites just want that. The thing is, most of the Chinese elites don't really have a deep belief in anything, so getting the current status going is the best, most convenient thing for them.

I view it as China valuing stability. They want to control their interests, but countries like Russia or the post-Trump U.S. make long-term planning hard because you can’t assume rational decisions by the other major players.

They say they're appalled so as to be able to take up opportunities left by the fleeing Americans in Europe.

China doesn't care about Ukraine but they care about continuing to sell to Europe a lot.

You misunderstood them. They want to slip into the power vacuum the us implosion generated, but they want to establish a world order similar to the colonial British Empire . Its in all their speaches and documents , if you care to read and listen. They are quite open about it ,like putin.

You are being dishonest and not saying the truth. I follow Xi.

Isn't that the logical conclusion of a country that has a different leading style?

China plans ahead in decades. US plans ahead less than 12 hours, and depending on the moodswings in the Oval Office are pretty much the definition of unreliable right now.

There was a fascinating quote that some friends around Singapore told me once: "When China comes, they build roads and infrastructure. When US comes, they destroy, enforce and leave emptiness"

And, given what happened in Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa and other shitshows I tend to agree.

China learned that cultural influence is playing the long game, and they're very successful with it.

Africa has a similar saying about the UK. When the Chinese come we get a hospital, when the UK comes we get a lecture.

reference please. As a Chinese I would love to learn about it.

China borders Russia. If the Russians invaded some Chinese territory and then Russia and the US held talks to decide how much to take not involving China in the talks, I think they would be pissed off. It's kind of the principle of the thing.