For those that don't understand the history of Western anthropology, I'll explain it. ......
Excellent knowledge and insights.
Now let me try to disagree on one point w.r.t. China's stance and approaches.
China has been playing to its own game that is inline with the historical China in the books we have read. Mao fiercely defended China sovereignty again Soviet design in late 1940s and early 1950s. Deng played a Goujian's game when China was falling way behind the west. Jiang followed Deng's roadmap. No comments on Hu. When Xi came to power, China is well on its way to get out of the funk since early 1800s. The west is waking up to a new reality since "pivot to Asia" was launched.
In this context, there are two classic approaches to this new reality as Xi calls it "the great changes of the century". On the extreme is the Russia's approach to the NATO expansion, while on the other extreme is historical China approaches to "the great game of Tian-Xia". Let me cut the chase by saying that Xi has been practicing a hybrid approach by recognizing the trend and adopting an "active strategic defense", which is inline with Chinese conventional wistoms.
We may argue that the historical China did not wage wars for the sake of its tributary states near or far. And that approach may not be the best practice of a superpower in today's world. But let's not forget the overriding factor in this context or all scenarios: the Chinese public in general and the mandarine class in particular. My judgement is that, for the moment, Xi's approach is already close to the acquiesce threshold of the public. And that is the situation in which many mainland Chinese are actually hoping Taiwan officially declare independence.
So finally let me close by saying that, once again fitting the Chinese wisdom, the west is actually doing Xi's bidding by overtly meddling in Taiwan affairs. The funniest of all funny things is that Taiwan is the one and only excuse of China taking your stated approach. Unless US is damned certain that China would be crushed during a war over Taiwan, the west is actually helping China unification. I wish Lai the best ...... you can do it!