Ah, the Nuance of Experts

For over 20 years China has dramatically increased their power projection capabilities and used that power to intimidate neighbors. But you know what the real cause for that record is? Reacting to China's record, of course:

The U.S., Japan, Australia and India are working to preserve the balance of power in the Asia Pacific. But that could aggravate the world's second-largest economy, potentially triggering a greater Chinese military presence around the region.

No doubt, reacting to China's extending reach aggravates China. Who wouldn't want a free run at taking everything they claim or might want in the future?

But the very notion of the grouping trying to "preserve" the balance of power indicates that China has upset that balance.

The "quad" reacting to a greater Chinese military presence does not cause the already apparent expanding Chinese military presence.