The unification of Germany created a new and unstable balance of power in Europe. Bismarck knew it, and feared it. He did everything he could to keep France isolated and Europe peaceful while he was chancellor. But Wilhelm II sacked him and promoted a policy of aggressive imperialism; Britain and Russia were predictably alienated; and Europe was on the road to World War I.
In a similar vein, Xi’s predecessors did their best to promote peaceful development in China, but Xi decided to throw red meat to the nationalist base, and you can see the results. Europe and China’s neighbors (Russia excepted) are offended and frightened by Chinese provocations; they draw closer to the US; the Chinese whine about containment and lash out at their critics; and the cycle begins again. That makes Xi the new Wilhelm II and the opposite of Bismarck.
Actually, when you think about it, he sounds a lot like Donald Trump interacting with the American left, only on the international stage.