The West gained significantly from foreign expansionism - whether it was European colonialism or post-WW2 Imperialism.
While there is still some scope for China to benefit from expansionism, the potential "victims" are less willing to part with all of their wealth for little reward.
I'm aware of China's economic incentives in African countries, but the returns on many of those investments will never match the returns that Western nations got in the past.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
