"It just gradually legally infiltrates and eventually owns any place it wants."
That's what all world powers have done through the ages (although often using war) and why we have English, Spanish and other languages scattered around the globe. Now China is the ascending power. It would be better to work with them than against them.
IMO, during the process there's going to be some small changes in culture, laws, living conditions as exchanges take place but over time it will tend to level out. Maybe that's a bit optimistic and it's way out in the future but there is only one alternative and that's war with one side attempting to grab the lot. Sanctions (economic warfare) won't work with China, at least not for long.
Surely war is out of the question now that everyone has nukes so that only leaves us one choice.
