China Is Older

Consider this..

China, as a "country", has probably been in existence for over FIVE thousand years.  Its language and culture has been developed for over thousands of years, long before the birth of Christ.  The people have organized under numerous leaders, both self-declared and "elected".  It is known to have created and championed a plethora of innovations throughout its history.  The peoples have introduced, formulated, adapted, and adopted improvements of agriculture, manufacturing, and technology from the start.  People still refer to Confucius for wisdom and guidance. It is the "tortoise".

The United States of America has been in existence for LESS than 250 years. It's language was borrowed from elsewhere.  It's culture is under constant change, from decade to decade to the current hour to hour transformation.  It has, without question, been a leader of change from the time of the Industrial Revolution.  The innovations it has brought forth have impacted the entire globe.   Social Media is now it's guiding light.  It is the "hare".

China has seen societies, cultures, and countries grow, blossom, challenge it, fade away, and die.  NO ONE has ever conquered China.  NO.  ONE.  EVER.

To be so naïve to think that China "needs" anything from the USA in order to survive is pure fantasy.  It's trade "negotiations" mean nothing.  Industrial pollution is just the cost of keeping citizens employed.  As long as there is no widespread revolt, and those in power can remain in power, nothing will change.  If thousands of its people must perish in order for the state to continue, so be it.  It matters little.  Just don't drink the water.

"The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few".

There is no such thing as "personal space" in their culture.  (Have you ever encountered someone from China in a public setting and wondered how they could be so rude?  They aren't rude.  They just don't know that personal space is a "thing". ) What's theirs is theirs.  What's yours is theirs.  That's just a matter of fact.

In recent history, both Hitler and Stalin "negotiated" their positions toward one of conquest.  Their gains were made mostly under the belief by western leaders that they spoke in only truths.  And, yet, each regime lasted less than 60 years.  Communist China is over 100 years old, has had repetitive change in leadership, and shows no sign of slowing down.  It shows no desire for conquest.  It is just patiently waiting for everyone else to fail.

It is just waiting for the hare to die.