Xi Jinping has taken another step forward on his reform agenda, with a massive reorganization and streamlining of China’s armed forces.

A military modernizing for global dominance, a dictator consolidating his power, an unstable economy, and an America tired of being the world’s policeman. These are not the ingredients for a new era of world peace.

China’s new soft-power approach isn’t quite as devious or as foolproof a path to regional hegemony as some think.

Chinese President Xi Jinping gave a speech laying out China’s new, softer foreign policy that has been developing over the past month. For the sake of the US, the world, and especially China itself, let’s hope this is a trend that sticks.

Earlier signs of a softening stance by China have been leading up to a notable shift in Chinese diplomacy at this week’s APEC meeting. China, however, is just biding its time.