China has always played the long game. They are not silly. It's more that we're getting so use to everything happening immediately we're wanting the next bit of news now, but they will likely be very carefully, methodically formulating their plans, and it won't be based around 2 year election cycles, but 5, 10, 50 year strategies. I very much doubt any of what has just happened is final. One good reason Neo is probably growing though, and probably also a good reason to pay attention to the ones they've allowed to continue.

Right now there's a real danger that everyone is in such a hurry they are forgetting that you need the money you buy your food with to not drop by 40% overnight, and they'll probably be meticulously working out how to achieve that. I would never write them off as only acting out of fear. They are patient, and not to be underestimated.