Quote Originally Posted by davidbfpo View Post
I prefer to use capability + intention to make an assessment.

In the case of the PRC, let alone the South China disputes, for a long time the PRC has had the capability to exert itself - as shown in the clashes with Vietnam long ago (1979 & 1988).

From faraway it looks like intention has been lacking and for reasons unclear to me this dispute has re-appeared.
A difference now is they have a naval capability that is, I'm pretty sure, very much greater than they had before.