Finally, it is hard to see what China gains by conquering other Asian countries.
China’s economy has been growing at an impressive pace without foreign adventures,
proving that conquest is unnecessary for accumulating great wealth. Moreover, if China starts conquering and occupying countries, it is likely to run into fierce resistance
from the populations which fall under its control. The US experience in Iraq should be a
warning to China that the benefits of expansion in the age of nationalism are outweighed
by the costs.