Expansionist? How many wars was China started in the past 75 years? Now do the US.
### 1950s: Early Territorial Consolidation
1. **Annexation of Tibet (1950-1951)**
- October 1950: People’s Liberation Army (PLA) invades Tibet, defeating its small army at Chamdo.
- May 1951: Seventeen Point Agreement signed under duress, integrating Tibet into the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
- Outcome: Full control over 1.2 million square kilometers, suppression of Tibetan autonomy.
2. **Xinjiang Consolidation (1949-1950s)**
- 1949: PLA occupies Xinjiang after the Chinese Civil War ends.
- 1950s: Suppression of East Turkestan independence movements, mass Han migration begins.
- Outcome: Firm control over 1.6 million square kilometers, resource-rich region.
3. **Hainan Island Capture (1950)**
- April-May 1950: PLA launches an amphibious assault to seize Hainan from Nationalist (KMT) forces.
- Outcome: Strategic island in the South China Sea secured.
4. **First Taiwan Strait Crisis (1954-1955)**
- PRC shells Nationalist-held islands (Kinmen, Matsu) off Fujian coast, aiming to test U.S.-Taiwan resolve.
- Outcome: No territorial gain, but signaled intent to reclaim Taiwan.
5. **Occupation of Aksai Chin (1950s)**
- 1950s: China builds a military road through Aksai Chin (claimed by India), asserting control.
- Outcome: De facto control solidified, later confirmed in 1962 war.
6. **Second Taiwan Strait Crisis (195
**
- August 1958: PRC bombards Kinmen and Matsu again, escalating tensions.
- Outcome: Stalemate, but reinforced China’s claim over Taiwan.
---
### 1960s: Border Conflicts and Maritime Moves
7. **Sino-Indian War (1962)**
- October-November 1962: China attacks India over disputed borders in Aksai Chin and NEFA (Arunachal Pradesh).
- Outcome: China retains Aksai Chin (37,000 sq km), withdraws from NEFA after unilateral ceasefire.
8. **Sino-Soviet Border Clashes (1969)**
- March 1969: Zhenbao/Damansky Island skirmish on the Ussuri River.
- Outcome: No major territorial change, but highlighted China’s readiness to challenge borders with the USSR.
9. **Paracel Islands Skirmish (1960s buildup)**
- 1950s-1960s: China establishes presence in the Paracels (South China Sea), setting stage for 1974 takeover.
- Outcome: Gradual assertion over disputed maritime territory.
---
### 1970s: South China Sea Expansion
10. **Paracel Islands Battle (1974)**
- January 1974: China defeats South Vietnam, seizing full control of the Paracel Islands.
- Outcome: Secured strategic foothold in the South China Sea.
11. **Border Conflict with Vietnam (1979)**
- February-March 1979: China invades northern Vietnam after Vietnam’s intervention in Cambodia.
- Outcome: No permanent territorial gain, but demonstrated military reach (withdrawn after heavy casualties).
---
### 1980s: Maritime and Diplomatic Assertion
12. **Spratly Islands Occupation (198
**
- March 1988: Johnson Reef clash with Vietnam; China occupies several reefs in the Spratlys.
- Outcome: Expanded presence in the South China Sea, building small outposts.
13. **Continued Taiwan Pressure (1980s)**
- Ongoing military exercises and propaganda asserting Taiwan as part of China.
- Outcome: No direct control, but diplomatic isolation of Taiwan intensified.
---
### 1990s: Strategic Consolidation
14. **Mischief Reef Occupation (1995)**
- China builds structures on Mischief Reef (Spratly Islands), claimed by the Philippines.
- Outcome: Permanent presence established, escalating tensions.
15. **Hong Kong Handover (1997)**
- July 1997: Britain transfers Hong Kong to China under “one country, two systems.”
- Outcome: Reclaimed 1,100 sq km, with increasing control post-1997.
---
### 2000s: Maritime Escalation and Economic Reach
16. **Scarborough Shoal Standoff (2012, roots in 2000s)**
- China asserts control over Scarborough Shoal (Huangyan Island) after a standoff with the Philippines.
- Outcome: De facto control via coast guard presence.
17. **South China Sea Island-Building (2000s-2010s)**
- Late 2000s onward: China dredges and militarizes reefs (e.g., Fiery Cross, Subi) in the Spratlys.
- Outcome: Expanded territorial waters and exclusive economic zone claims.
18. **Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands Dispute (Intensified 2010s)**
- China increases naval patrols near Japan-controlled Senkaku Islands, claimed since the 1970s.
- Outcome: No occupation, but persistent pressure on Japan.
---
### 2010s: Global Influence and Military Flexing
19. **Belt and Road Initiative (2013 onward)**
- Massive infrastructure projects across 100+ countries (e.g., Gwadar Port in Pakistan, Hambantota in Sri Lanka).
- Outcome: Economic leverage, strategic footholds via debt and investment.
20. **Galwan Valley Clash (2020, roots in 2010s)**
- June 2020: Deadly skirmish with India in Ladakh along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
- Outcome: No clear territorial shift, but reinforced China’s border stance.
21. **Macau Tightening (Post-1999)**
- After 1999 handover from Portugal, China increases political control over Macau.
- Outcome: Full integration into PRC system by 2010s.
22. **Hong Kong National Security Law (2020)**
- June 2020: Law imposed, curbing dissent and autonomy.
- Outcome: Expanded legal and political dominance over Hong Kong.
---
### 2020s: Ongoing Expansionism
23. **Taiwan Airspace Incursions (2020s)**
- Frequent PLA Air Force flights into Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone (e.g., 150+ aircraft in October 2021).
- Outcome: Heightened military pressure, no physical takeover yet.
24. **Bhutan Border Encroachment (2020s)**
- China builds villages and outposts in disputed areas near Bhutan’s western border.
- Outcome: Incremental territorial gains, pressuring Bhutan.
25. **Arctic and Antarctic Presence (2020s)**
- China expands scientific bases and resource exploration in polar regions, claiming “near-Arctic state” status.
- Outcome: Soft expansion of influence in global commons.
---
### Notes on Scope
- **Territorial Expansion**: Tibet, Xinjiang, Aksai Chin, and South China Sea islands represent direct land/sea gains.
- **Military Assertion**: Taiwan crises, border wars, and maritime clashes show willingness to use force.
- **Economic/Political Influence**: BRI and Hong Kong/Macau reflect modern expansionism beyond traditional conquest.
- **Minor Incidents**: Countless smaller border skirmishes (e.g., with India, USSR) and maritime disputes exist but lack clear documentation or outcomes for an exhaustive list.
This covers the most significant and verifiable instances. If you want a deeper dive into any specific event, region, or type of expansionism (e.g., economic vs. military), just ask!
