Of coarse, Tom, China must be included – in some way or another and I have much less fear of that, than most of my (political) friends.
I think the Chinese are far more able to and interested in a constructive cooperation which benefits both ( or all) parties. It is the typical Chinese thinking of „win -win situations. Of coarse, it is not always comfortable to deal with the enormous economic might of the Chinese – and the above said does not exclude the Chinese from using that leverage wisely.
Apart from the fact, that I do not want to copy or implement the Chinese way of life or government (at least not one to one) – I think that they are far more willing to let us live „our“ way of life – or government, – than the USA is.
So, from there on, I want to look at the question of „hegemon“.
If you understand by „hegemon“ – the mightyest country or system on earth, – yes, I can see China getting there and it bothers me little.
If you see „hegemon“ as dominating, interfering, dictating of terms, – then, as I said above, – I have less resentment or fear of China, than of USA.
And – it is one of my major concerns, – that a European (or even a German) close cooperation with Russia, – minimises or reduces the potential dominance of China.
I don’t even want to think of a European – Russian alliance AGAINST China, – but of a complementary body or force, which enables us to ascert taditional European values and interests – and enables us a greater scope to shape the world in our way.