Threat is Assessed by Weighing By Capabilities and Intentions

No. In international relations, threat is usually assessed by weighing capabilities and intentions. Similar to a criminal case, an attorney might ask the questions: Could the person have committed the crime? And did that person have a motive?  I would argue that, unlike the Soviet Union during the Cold War, China is more dependent on the United States for its continued peace and prosperity and therefore is motivated to cooperate with rather than threaten US interests.

China’s political stability is tied to its economic growth and stability. The Chinese government needs to create enough jobs and opportunities to keep its people satisfied with the current pact it has with society: We deliver economic opportunity and you accept our political legitimacy.