In 1853, Commodore Matthew Perry entered Tokyo Harbor at the head of 4
warships w/a mission to open dialogue/trade between Japan and the USA.
More critically, it opened the eyes of a then closed and insular Japan.
In the West, they saw another nation/state of comparable size which
was then the ranking world power.
Reacting immediately, Japan created the second most powerful Navy in the
world, after Great Britain, and became the foremost Asian power, where it
remains to this day.
In contrast, China, a large land mass, has never, ever been a world power!!!
Ruled by Dynastic Emperors for 2,500 years, it's achievements are insignificant.
Militarily, Japan crushed China in two Sino-Japanese Wars and as well, sank the
entire Russian Fleet in the Strait of Tsushima in 1905.
Our strategy to counter any aggressiveness/expansion by China is real simple.
Give Japan a green light!!!