You are actually confirming my point. It is the US who wants China to attack now, when the US still has the upper hand. It is not in the interest of China to start a war now. China wins by playing the long game.
And who said they going to jump in diretcly at first ?? The curtain hasn't been opened as yet . Only teasing snippet were being seen . But , the moment US bogged down ... That is the moment all suprises comes out and breaking the stalemate . Even the US recognized this . Hence the the 2 carrier batlegroup present . And they doubling it down for a notch too ... This old and weary croc can't afford to be seen as weak in front of alll the circling tigerfish and hippos alike ...
And all the opportunistic moslem countries ( Indonesia included ) are eagerly waiting for the new reshufling of an established order
.