Yes, that's how this play has always worked. Usually it's a political party within the country, or an immediately neighboring much larger country. This time it's on a global scale.
There will exist a large portion of the population cheering the conquerors as they take over.
I wouldn't be surprised if that's the objective here.
Destabilize the west and offer yourself as a "moderating force for reform".
That is exactly it
Yes, that's how this play has always worked. Usually it's a political party within the country, or an immediately neighboring much larger country. This time it's on a global scale.
There will exist a large portion of the population cheering the conquerors as they take over.
This is particularly true of both Communists, and China specifically, who have already done this to many neighbors.