Definitely, as a matter of fact, that very characteristic was part of China's official policy during Deng Xiaopeng's time.
"Keep a cool head and maintain a low profile. Never take the lead - but aim to do something big."
-Deng Xiaopeng
There is a Japanese saying,
Rika ni kan muri o tada sazu
More or less it means, "Do not make straight your crown when you sit under a plum tree"
Japan and the US are currently co-developing the long-range SM-3 IIA:
But you know there are some Chinese posters who think that Japan is completely reliant on the US on all our defense articulations, not knowing that we have joint projects. Too many to even name.