@Drnaline,
You two picked up on such a vital core element to world politics!!! I didn't see this until now.
The key to success in an individual is happiness, and happiness is the result of three key elements, Competence, Connections, and Choice. This is where their is a key difference between the US and CHina.
The people of the US are not isolating spirits, they are outgoing, they socialize they use their connections, and the message is peace. Even while the cost of peace might mean to fight for it. They are taking the high road, even while mistakes have been and are still happening, and looking at details this could be challenged , the INTENT is peace. The US socializes and forms connections and friendships with other countries {NATO]
China on the other hand, is not connecting with the world, they are barracading themselves behind the historical 'great wall of china', and so the isolation is born from tribal roots, and will not change. They are doing this as a strategy in order to gather MIGHT and resilience for the time when they intend to strike. This is a strategy that can and will backfire.
While they might be competent in many areas, the US is seen as competent as well.
While China feels that it has a choice to not stand with the rest of the world, they are making a choice that is withdrawing form world needs and like 'conjectures of a guilty bystander' as thomas merton would say, they are defacto aiding the Middle-east in the hatred and violence against Western Civilization.
The US is connected, and dispite everything, will always be seen as having success on many fronts, including the friendships and the intent. China, on the other hand, is taking the low road, and is cutting off key diplomatic ties, and isolating itself.
In human terms, isolation causes disease and illness and mental health issues, we need as humans to feel connected, have choice {free-will}, and feel competent. So too this is the definition of success in life.
In International Politics the same holds true, isolation will cause China to fall.