China sprinted ahead with beefing up its military when it fancied the world wasn’t watching. The thinking went that 9/11 drew attention away from China’s ambitions. But disappointment awaited. Tension returned to the Beijing- Washington relationship and alarmed neighbors moved swiftly to tighten their relationships and interoperability with the United States. Now China faces the dilemma powerful states sometimes confront: it has ostensibly grown stronger, yet in various ways it is relatively weaker because of regional suspicion. Even countries traditionally wary of U.S. entanglements have stepped up joint exercises and dialogue. Neutral states are not cozying up to Washington but neither are they anxious for a quick U.S. departure. It seems the PLA may have expanded its thrust too soon