How have the ideals put forth in the Declaration of Independence influenced the development of American politics and culture since the 18th century?

china unilaterally claims the entire south china sea as sovereign territory, then builds artificial islands to bolster its claim. it suddenly activates an air defense identification zone over the east china sea, and threatens to down any aircraft that does not report its position. it builds roads into indian territory, then redraws the maps to show that it is actually chinese territory. the people's republic under president xi jinping is quickly becoming the bully of asia.

i'd assume india mainly because of how isolated japan was.   plus it is a whole china away.