You couldn't be more wrong, they are consummate masters of the art. We are the ones deluding ourselves, not they. We are the ones talking about an Asian century, an Asian partnership, an India-China century etc etc...classic muddle headed thinking on our part. The fact is China does not consider us as equals nor does it have any interest in sharing what they see as China's century with anyone, least of all with India. China has little interest in any border settlement on mutually acceptable terms, they see no reason to allow for breathing space unless we concede what they want.
Nothing at all wrong with how the Chinese look at it, it is we who foolishly believe that we will be treated as equals when we haven't yet achieved a fraction of what we believe to be our potential. China respects & will only respect power. Not until we posses a sufficient quantity of that resource will China show you, even if grudgingly, any respect.