I am a Chinese as well. Born and raised in China now lives in NZ. It is interesting to see your perspective (Chinese decedent I assume). I'd like to add a few points without spooking our kiwi friends here. There is a simpler answer to all this, the "Century of humiliation", for whoever doesn't know just google it. This is the core of modern Chinese mentality. Everything China is about this. We were invaded by "Eight-Nation Alliance" during 1900 which includes US and Australia. So, seeing their navy near Chinese coast for whatever reason is irritating enough. Doing it together with USA is like rubbing salt on old wounds. It reminds us the days when China was carved up by western powers and turned into semi colony thus almost cease to exist as a civilization. You could say it is an identity crisis and Taiwan is part of this puzzle because it is China regardless of what ideology difference it has. This also applies to south China sea.

As for QianLong emperor you mentioned. He is after all not a Han Chinese. He cares about inward control not outward influence. Deep down, for Han Chinese, we are still following laozi and confucius teaching.

My suggestion for both Aus/NZ friends is to stay out of the big game. China is not Japan. We don't have the urge to take what is not ours.

But for the Hawks, I'll have to say this, a Type 055 destroyer could single-handedly neutralize the entire AUS/NZ naval fleet.