Years ago I met with the Chinese ambassador - country unspecified, the gentleman had learnt next to nothing about his host in the three years that he had served as ambassador. Highly unusual for a career diplomat I thought but upon visiting China later the Chinese people I met in China were very keen on sharing a lot of information about their country, traditions, family, culture and values with me. I soaked it all up but they showed very little genuine interest in learning about my country, culture and values in return. The Chinese student I lectured in the University as an adjunct professor in my twenties were no different, at the time I assumed language barrier after repeated failed attempts at connecting - I gave up.
Chinese are parochially disinterested in anything external to China. To many it appears they look down upon most things foreign and in that sense not much has changed since the passing of Zheng He.
Chinese insularity or isolationism is deep rooted, and results in the Chinese being misunderstood.
The Chinese cannot be open and transparent it's not in their nature. And lack of transparency breeds mistrust.
It isn't a surprise that the Chinese don't have allies they can rely upon - higher than mountains rhetoric not withstanding. China cannot stand alone and China cannot win influence not even with the billions they invest. This is unlikely to change no matter what kind of government rules in Beijing.
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