Greetings,
The Chinese are making inroads in numerous countries around the world. I'm thinking specifically African nations here. Invading, as it were IMO. NOT by force but by contributing to the "victims" infrastructure and well being. It's a soft invasion. They are endearing themselves to a number of African nations.
https://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/chinas-investments-in-africa-whats-the-real-story/ Yes, for their own benefit but they have a friendly relationship with the government. Bribery? Of course. It's the Chinese way. You catch a lot more flies with sugar than with vinegar.
Think how things might be different in the ME if the US had invested some of the $1 TRILLION+ cost of the war in Iraq and another $1 TRILLION+ in Afghanistan in schools, roads and infrastructure in general rather than in bombs. The Muslim radicals wouldn't have had a chance. Again IMO.