Paranoid is the by product of too much boasting.
Brunei a rich nation run by arguably the richest man in the world, net worth USD20 billion, never boast or was unduly worried about being attacked by others. He just enjoys what he does in a country where people never heard of school fees, medical fees or taxes. He is not obligated to China nor US.
Singapore is too boastful...everything number one and the best.
Brunei has oil.
The ones who have and are self assured enjoy life and do their own thing.
The ones who don't have and are insecure boast and always claim to be number one. USA is one such country. China is another. And surprisingly Singapore also wants to get in on that game.