Sucks, but the so-called “second world” is witnessing what sees as brisk business, deals with anyone from Canada to Taliban Afghanistan.
However I do not sugarcoat the fact that some countries are now handing themselves from one falling hegemony with another, one that allows greater reckless capitalism but devalues individual personal freedoms.
I was speaking in relative terms in regards to expansion. Relative to something like the US’s use of the Monroe doctrine, China’s handling of the south China sea is pretty mild.
While they are heavy handed in the scope of modern time…they aren’t exactly having their version of Teddy Roosevelt invading Cuba or anything.
Plus the Philippines were under American occupation for 50 years until the end of WWII.