India's step is a provocation, but not provocative big enough for Chinese to justify a war for it, at least at the beginning. They're kind of shrewd this time, not as reckless as that back then.

Chinese focus isn't in that direction now. But if political will justifies a war for it, they can shift military strength there. It will be a big war, a total war that solves everything. Chinese won't tolerate to let Indian harass them again for another 50 years.

Or Chinese can drag on it. China is building up the navy quickly these days. This situation will accelerate it even quicker. In a few years they can go to Indian Ocean to make a blockade to India, to solve this problem. Actually Chinese fleets are there doing live fire exercise now. Either way, Chinese have the flexibility of options.