Maybe China’s ‘strategic moves’ could be seen in direct correlation with the military ‘pincer movement’ of the US (or the global missile ‘defence’ system destined for space).

Considering China’s experience of colonial interference along with conflicts by proxy to her south & east, she would be wise to make ‘strategic moves’ ~ & you need not waste your time reading Bloom’s paranoid projections on the subject either ~ The topic is covered in such a superficial way (as is most of ‘The Lucifer Principle’) that it resembles the rantings of a delusional stoned teen who’s OD’d on Death Metal Techno (maybe that was his target audience) ~ Worst still, it’s just the kind of barstool philosophy that the Pro-Pre-emptive’s would allude to in order to justify military action ~ & believe me: the West does NOT want conflict with China, we’ve too much to lose. (ironically, a fact Bloom seems to acknowledge, whilst at the same time implying that ‘we’ should be more geared-up for a fight).

For a clearer understanding of China’s position/view with regards to the West, you’d be better off checking out ‘Confucianism’ ~ or reading a book by a Westerner who’s actually lived there (‘China Inc.’ Ted C. Fishman springs to mind).
PB ~ Rather than asking Bloom to ‘hint at the causes’ why not ask him to ‘clearly explain’ his views instead?