Because that's what authoritarians invariably do.
They abhor liberal democracies and seek to extend their domineering control over as many people as they can.
The CCP is an absolutely tyrannical organization that denies their own citizens the rights that you and I take for granted. Why would they ever desire their neighbours to have what they deny their own people?
Look no further than Hong Kong and North Korea to see what China wants for their neighbours.
South Korea only exists as it does today because Western forces repelled Chinese supported North Koreans from conquering it.
Japan only exists today because of American rebuilding after the destruction of Imperial Japan during World War 2.
Taiwan only exists as it is today because of American support.
China would have subjugated these entities and destroyed any chance of prosperity and independence that they had if not for the efforts of people who believe in individual autonomy and liberal democratic values.
China only has the power that they do to day because of authoritarians in the west who tricked the world into thinking that globalism means that we should engage in trade with undemocratic societies.
Because that's what authoritarians invariably do.
It's so funny to read stuff like this and compare it to the united states which during my lifetime has invaded so many different countries and killed countless people across the world. Not saying China is great, but come on man if you had to pick one country that is invasion happy it's not china...
If you had to pick one country that is invasion happy it's not China.
Its regime is somewhat conservative in this regard, but happily orders of invasions of other countries when it sees the need.
Can you think of another country that actually does more invasions all the time in recent history?
You can ask all the rhetorical questions you want.
I just don't see a need for pretensions that China does not cynically invade countries on occasion, or similar nonsense.
The death toll on two of the interventions above (2M+ each for Korea/Cambodia), BTW.
Did they invade Hong Kong? It's a very western viewpoint that invasion is the only way to affect change.
Hong Kong was leased from China. No invasion necessary.
They've squashed the democracy movement there, though.
I'm not saying they're not trying to expand their sphere of influence. I just think they're not quite as gung-ho about it as western powers. They work slower and less aggressively, invasions are a last resort.
Now do Tibet.
75 years ago? If that's the closest precedent you can find, that kinda speaks for itself, doesn't it?
Can you name a single country that China has brought democracy to?
Now we're shifting topics. We're talking about invasions, not bringing democracy.
I also don't think that "bringing democracy" is a universal good, if you look at the US' exploits in the Middle East.