Beijing rejects Pentagon report assessing China’s expanding military power

[cosmicone]

4. The world is a dangerous place

for any country with resources. It is a choice between becoming a victim vs not being a victim. The latter requires preparedness.

China is an authoritarian regime and their people are unable to articulate what you are able to in the US.

While I agree with your way of thinking in a perfect world, as a practical matter, it is not possible. No one likes to be armed with a spoon in an alley full of people with knives and guns.