I don't understand what you mean because American economy, military, and technology, have all improved in the last 30 years. They're not going backwards; they're just going forward slower than China.
That is kind of presumptuous to say that the world will always need to be run by the visions of a single country. I don't think China has the desire to interfere with things so far from itself, as over-extension and exhaustion has often been the downfall of many powers. China should aim to do what's important for itself to preserve and build its own nation and invest far less on global interference than the US. The world isn't a kindergarten for China or the US to run.
I think the fundamental reason why the West lacks STEM students is because they've grown too comfortable with their lead and everyone wants a comfortable life with a comfortable major. I can't foresee if China will also fall into this trap but one good thing is that Chinese families are so competitive with each other that even without other peer countries, they will still drive their kids to undertake the toughest academic challenges just to rub it in their neighbor's faces LOL
That's not disagreeing though. That's agreeing. You were talking about being less threatening so these countries so they wouldn't lean towards the US due to fear of China and how China should hide things about its military to appear gentler. I disagreed and said that China should be strong and displace American power so that friendship with China becomes a better alternative to friendship with the US. This is now what you're saying too. Judging by what you're writing now, you've changed what you said and we are now in agreement.
So the US has been pulled into these disputes and they have still never gained the upper hand on China, and as a result, countries like the Philippines have started to realize that their objectives are far better-served by having good relations with China rather than trying to use the US to trump China. That's the goal. When countries realize that in Asia, China's word is final, not America's and they come over to bargain, then China can be generous with them but from a position of strength. They will realize that it's far better to have China as a powerful and generous friend rather than an enemy (with the power to act with impunity in Asia), and that alliance with the US in Asia is useless. So trade something useless for something great. That's when countries make the switch. They don't do it just because you are being nice and non-threatening.
I don't know why you think China can't become the most powerful country, at least in the region, without having Japan, Korea, etc... as allies. China has been and is still rising with alarming (to the US) speed without their help/support and the US never relied on Mexican/Canadian aid in its ascent. If China needs Korea/Japan's alliance to rise, then it's screwed; it's not doable. So it's not the chicken or the egg, it's that China needs to displace American power first, then it will gain the allies who don't want to be on the losing team. For their own safety, those countries will not switch alliances until you prove that you are a stronger and better option than America. And for their own safety, they will absolutely switch alliances to you after you have proven it, all the same, regardless of how threatening or benevolent you were (as long as you don't have existential conflict). It's a matter of survival for them to change themselves to always follow the strongest power. A much better analogy is, "don't put the cart in front of the horse."
Right, but that threat is greatly ameliorated by the fact that many advanced technologies are not in the US (and wish to do everything to skirt sanctions to do business with China) and also, China already had a long time to develop a firm technological base on which to grow.
That is inevitable; you cannot expect to surpass the US without them throwing everything including the kitchen sink at you. This just means that China's hot on their heels.
And they are not. They are mostly trying to maintain relations with China due to China's enormous and growing market. China is doing nothing to make them more hostile to China but the US is doing much to make them less hostile to China (although inadvertently).
Not really. They're far too weak, and far too scared to incur America's retaliation. That should be what China aims for in Asia, NOT trying to win allies by being gentle and harmless.
It's less what China's doing to de-escalate (as you really can only do this by giving up your own interests/resources so it's not easy at all), but more of what the US is doing to accidentally push them towards China. American mistakes make things so much easier for China; as a matter of fact, China may not have the power to pull the EU closer under a competent POTUS, which is why I much prefer Trump over Biden.
Ideally, but also don't be scared to flex your might where it can achieve victory. China's handling its relationships with its neighbors quite well as it defends its interests on all sides of its borders without erupting into violence while building the economy, technology, and military. (One great example is how China handled the 2017 Doklam standoff by moving massive war-fighting contingents to the India border causing India to unilaterally withdraw announcing that some understanding had been reached, which was news to the Chinese. No shots fired, resolved peacefully, but through Chinese strength.) America started a trade war with China and the EU at the same time and now it can't chew what it tried to bite off. So no slogan is absolute.