China operates by the following “rules and demands”:
We are a developing country so we can pollute all we want.
We are a developed country whose currency should be the world’s standard.
We restrict Chinese families so you should pay us.
We have a huge population so you should give us the Olympics (the most polluted one ever).
You have a smaller population than us so you should allow us to control your ports.
North Korea is an impoverished country who must be financially supported by the West.
If you want our influence in North Korea you must not trade with Taiwan.
We cannot control North Korea and are not responsible for her actions.
North Korea is our friend and you must not offend her.
The fear is that - with their massive military build-up - they will one day add the following rule to their repertoire:
We are the center of the world (China's name for itself), and you will do as you're told. Or else...
(IIRC) they have a "Yes, You may...." policies.
...instead of saying "NO!" to everything:
You may work @ your assigned gov. job.
You may sleep @ your assigned hovel.
You may eat meagerly.
You may study (permitted) subjects in school.
You shall pay any fines / levees / any price placed upon you.