The Assassin's Mace: Anon here found this term about 13 years ago. Have always come back to it since then when I see China making strategic moves.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assassin%27s_Mace
"Assassin's Mace (Chinese: 杀手锏; pinyin: Shāshǒujiàn) is a Chinese term composed of the characters for "kill", "hand", and "mace".[1] This term has its roots in ancient Chinese folklore, which recounts how a hero wielding such a weapon managed to overcome a far more powerful adversary. "Shashou Jian" was a club with which the "assassin" incapacitated his enemy, suddenly and totally, instead of fighting him according to "the rules."
https://www.wired.com/2009/07/china-looks-to-undermine-us-power-with-assassins-mace/
https://greatgameindia.com/chinas-assassins-mace-program/