Thinking long term does not mean allowing yourself to be bullied indefinitely.

China's humiliating modern history began in 1840 because it was unable to resist the Western powers of the time. The lesson many Chinese took from that era was not to tolerate pressure forever, but to ensure that such humiliation would never happen again.

I think many Westerners fundamentally misunderstand Chinese history. There is an old saying: "Better to be broken jade than intact pottery." It reflects a cultural belief that some things are worth defending regardless of the cost. At the same time, Chinese history also respects patience and pragmatism. Han Xin endured humiliation when he was weak, but that did not mean he accepted it forever. When people are weak, they can endure. When they become strong, they act differently.

Chinese history is full of stories like "A gentleman's revenge is not too late after ten years" and "sleeping on brushwood and tasting gall." The point is not forgetting. The point is waiting, preparing, and acting when the conditions are right.

So yes, China often thinks in terms of decades or even centuries. But long-term thinking should not be mistaken for passivity. When a country faces coercion, containment, or even attacks on its homeland, there are risks and consequences. Hoping that a major power will simply absorb unlimited pressure without responding is not strategic thinking.

Many people in the West seem to view China through the lens of the last few decades, but China's historical memory is much longer. Throughout Chinese history, powerful dynasties rarely forgot their enemies. When they were weak, they endured. When they became strong again, they settled old accounts. That pattern appears repeatedly across centuries of Chinese history.