All ideology exists to, ultimately, justify the growth and success of its promulgators; ideologies that don't rapidly stagnate or die off. Basic meme theory.

All ideology exists to, ultimately, justify the growth and success of its promulgators; ideologies that don't rapidly stagnate or die off. Basic meme theory. China's specific ideology is irrelevant; "Capitalism with Chinese Characteristics" or balls out Marxism won't change the fact that the CCP needs to feed and manage a billion people. They will eventually engage in aggressive, even ruthless, behavior because they have to; 'tis the nature of Realpolitik. National pride and ideology have nothing to do with it, hegemonic competition is inevitable.