I disagree with assertion #1. Children know how to lie from a very early age. What they don't know is WHY to lie until the consequences for telling the truth become more severe than the consequences for lying and a motivation for self-defense exceeds the motivations of loyalty and trust.
>but it stands to reason that if these Chinese actions are aggressive, then so are the American ones.
Not necessarily. That would depend on the range, bearing, altitude and type of the approaching aircraft.