They conveniently substitute the strategic threat for the regional one. While China does not currently possess the capability to fight on a world-wide basis, their regional capability is both impressive and growing at a rapid rate. It is this growth which is leading to concerns for regional stability. The authors seem to have swung hard and missed comprehensively.
Apparently there are two views toward Chinese military buildups that strictly concerns the Taiwan issue. In one side of view, it is the aggressive threat to the regional stability, and in other side of view, it is the defensive measure to ensure China's soverignty and territory integrity. It is also a big question--that weather China needs a big blue water Navy to protect her energy supply line and her oversea markets and interests? You know any money goes to military will not go to improve people's life.