Can you not see the problem with this? Eventually these fist fights flare up to causing serious diplomatic troubles. China will be continuing to feed the west their much desired ammunition for building the narrative that China is always forever the instigator as opposed to simply defending their claims and sometimes responding to violence with a similar lethality. This doesn't protect PLA troops or help build its case or develop its claim. What's so hard to get.
You have been drinking too much western MSM kool aid if you think anything China does will be interpreted in a positive like by western MSM or politicians. China can show restraint and back down from every clash and that will just be twisted by the western MSM as China backdown because its claim is ‘weak’ and further encourage India to press for more.
This isn’t make-believe lala land, in the real world, you advance your case and protect your troops through strength, not by craven and meaningless attempt to curry favour with people who manifestly despise you.
Look at the SCS, it was Chinese display of overwhelming industrial and military might that brought peace to the region, while previous attempts by China to be reasonable and take the high road only encouraged more aggression from US cat paw states.
Chinese attitude and actions towards nations should only depend on one thing, and that is how said nation treats China. If you treat China with courtesy and due respect, China will likewise treat you like a respectable member of the international community. If however, you treat China with aggression and ill will, you would had to be stupid to think China would back down to your stupid and misguided attempts to bullying.