July 16, 2026: Chinese military tactics are notable for their use of a traditional Chinese tactic called Weishe, which aims to compel opponents to back down and reconsider their defense plans. Weishe also involves moving military forces and economic activity into a disputed area that will then be claimed by China because the Chinese are there. China dares the other side to attack, secure in the knowledge that this would make China the victim and help China win any ensuing battles. This tactic has become more effective as Chinese military and economic power has grown. Most of China’s neighbors lack sufficient military power to pose a credible threat to a Chinese incursion, and China often offers economic incentives or threats to its victims.

There is always the threat of encountering credible resistance from opponents, which this century are the Americans, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, and India. At this point, the Chinese have to be careful to accurately calculate how far they can push their victims before Chinese forces must be withdrawn. Such a pull-back can have serious repercussions at home because Chinese leaders have been pushing nationalism to divert public attention from police state tactics and corruption inside China. A nationalistic atmosphere in China makes it very unpopular to back down, and that could trigger widespread unrest by people who are now reminded that their leaders are not only cowards but corrupt and police state bullies as well. Weiche is meant to avoid such catastrophes, and so far, it has done just that in the South China Sea and during the current Iran War.