Pamela, whilst I agree with your first point about countries being sucked into China’s orbit, I respectfully disagree with your second point about China disregarding international norms of behaviour.

China strictly observes international norms of behaviour - those norms that were well established before PRC ever existed as a legal entity.

Those norms that saw the British perfect the art of ‘gunboat diplomacy’, as a means to acquire the largest empire the world has ever seen, that saw the old Soviet empire annex and control Eastern Europe states following the Second World War, that saw the US become the most advanced superpower and establish ‘pax Americana’ by the means of undermining and in some cases toppling democratically elected government, by supporting death squads in central and South America, and by invading countries whenever it saw an advantage.

Let us not forget that International Relations - The Manual, was written by countless Empires in the past and that China has learnt well the teachings of Rome, the Mongols, Spain, France, Britain, Russia and the US. We taught them all they know and are putting into practice.