They don't need to because the US is already doing it for them. All they need to do is paint the US as the bad guys (which is not really difficult to do) and present themselves as the saviour.
They are also very subtle in their actions, so people who don't look closely don't see what they do. They have military bases in Djibouti and are currently considering expanding. Also, making plans to take over Taiwan.
At present, China may not be invading countries or kidnapping presidents, but don't be deluded to think they make deals amicably like the average businessman. They're brutal.
Theyre carrying out illegal mining in different countries, suppressing the people of the areas through the leaders of that region and also funding different groups to keep up conflicts.
With that they always visit countries to have deal with them to sell their goods in a peaceful manner. But America using military force to support Nations fight terrorism and negotiate to take Oil.
"peaceful manner", he said

It's really funny that China have successfully made people see them as the saints.
Mind you, these guys were taking about 90% of Venezuela's oil to pay off a debt. The sooner you guys realise that there are no good guys in this game, the better.