Likely Xi has been convinced that China is not yet ready for direct conflict with the US, and that elements within the US government are trying to accelerate the time line in order to strike before China is ready. I agree with this assessment; and also think that fixing China's problems, particularly its declining marriage rates & demographics, are far more important for the time being. Maintaining the status quo until the US's decline is further along is wise; at the same time, China must fix its own problems and continue closing the gap.

