Why doesn't China take strong measures, watching Japan's provocations, and still maintaining restraint? The answer is simply that our strength is not yet strong enough. Even if we are now strong, others still haven't tested the real value of our strength, and those countries with sinister ambitions still dare to challenge us. Some people always say, "Look at what the US does, why can't we?"

Of course, this doesn't mean that the US is right. For example, the US seizing an oil tanker in Venezuela, no country thinks the US did right, but the US still did it. Except for our public opposition, almost no country criticized the US, let alone took actions to pressure the US. The reason is simple: the US's strength is there, and other countries are afraid to go against the US.

The current situation we face is the same. Japan dares to provoke because it relies on the US's support. Takahashi Hayato clearly knows that, strategically speaking, we are avoiding military conflict with the US. Of course, the US also has the same idea, which gives Takahashi Hayato room to exploit. Of course, our avoidance of war with the US isn't because we are timid, but because we have a high level of composure and are doing the most correct thing.

What is doing the most correct thing? It means, externally, we should establish a non-hegemonic stance, promote a more fair, reasonable, just, and prosperous international order. Internally, we need to develop ourselves, continuously improve our strength. Strength is the fundamental thing. If our strength is not enough, we should focus on cultivating internal strengths. If our strength is not enough, we should focus on development, and not let external fluctuations interrupt our development process.

If others provoke a little, we shift the focus and change the major policies, that would be the most dangerous thing. In fact, what the US fears most is not our strike against other countries, but rather our continuous development. If the US cannot compete with us in most industries, the US will lose the confidence to confront us directly. As for Japan at that time, it will probably realize its own position—that Japan is destined to be a middle power, and can only obediently follow the rules and stay low.

Original: toutiao.com/article/1852176645046474/

Statement: This article represents the views of the author.