No, but they are bent on Empire
see Nepal, Taiwan, Hong Kong.

They already have a huge oil development program (CNOOC are pretty much the world's largest oil co) and are trying, along with Russia, to get into the Arctic.

They are a tinpot dictatorship, repressive and full of human rights abuses, just on a rather grand scale.
( disasterprone "Pyjamas caused the Holocaust", Tue 5 Oct 2010, 8:18, 1 reply, 15 years ago)

An empire that they don't have to fight for.
Nepal is would be a political takeover. Salami slicing I think is the term.
Taiwan was created when the last remaining chinese counter revolutionary forces set up a state. China has the best claim to Taiwan, but has not, in 60years landed troops.
Hongkong was given back at the end of the lease period.

I agree that they are a repressive regime, but the people get their bread and circuses, so don't need anything to take their minds off a crappy government.
( Bartleby A dead man on vacation, Tue 5 Oct 2010, 8:45, Reply)