I guess, with the on-going development of the Chinese Navy, China is getting rid of the classic territorial power mindset, although, as you have rightly put, this will hardly translate into imperial expansionism.
There is already a huge scholarship in China on the issue of transition from territorial to sea-land power status. With China so much intertwined into the world economy, a land-power mindset would be rather backward.
Like the US, I should add, China has to fully secure its immediate neighborhood and then become a sea-power although, with its huge landmass and only a single front to open waters, it would still not be a pure sea power.
I've been following into China's Military Academe' postings on paradigm shift of how the PLA (PLA, PLAN, PLAAF) will ensure the security of the nation's borders and interests. One thing that I've been researching is how China's Force Matrix is intertwined with Development Matrix. Its iconic and revolutionary actually, a 'Win their hearts' strategy. I'm referring to China's development of ships such as the Peace Ark; which is a large hospital ship that was mobilized to the Philippines in 2013 to help give much needed medical care to Filipinos during the aftermath of Hurricane Haiyan. That incident shows how China, as an economic, military power can deploy its military for relief efforts.
Going to what you said, about China's theater realities. Yes, i agree that China has an impressive ground force and this has always been so throughout her 5000 year history. China has always been a continental , land power. But its good to see that she is developing her naval capabilities so that she may respond to exigencies that require her attention. Either it be securing shipping lanes, protect chinese citizens abroad, or relief operations.
Afterall, sometimes we always affiliate our miliaries with warfare, and forget that the role of the is also to secure peace and security, as well as provide relief efforts in times of disasters.