The commercial interests that held sway in the Clinton administration turned a blind eye to the Chinese strategy of using commercial acquisitions to build their nation into a superpower. In short, they have a superiority complex. The sooner we deal with China the safer the world will be. All industrial nations do this. Most would love the budget that US agencies have.
All countries are self-serving and dishonest when dealing with each other.
Spying is the only way of trying to find out what's really going on. The United States is acting in its best interests by eavesdropping on China. The US would like to see all vital shipping channels remain open and Taiwan co-exist with the PRC in peace. The US would be well advised to develop excellent relations with India which is probably the only democracy in that region with the potential of countering China. Jayant Mehta, USA Intelligence surveillance of another country's military forces is an indispensable means to keep apprised of their capabilities and intentions.