| Reverse engineering is quite a common practice in any country in the world when one group suddenly is presented with access to previously 'forbidden' technology. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesnt. Given the standard operating procedure of the Chinese military when it comes to preventative maintenance it wouldn't be much of an advantage unless they further develop any copied systems.
As for how close they came to war we can only guess. There is no disclosure of secrets like this in either government. One of them simply 'claims' to be honest while the other is 'honest' about its level of control. |