"with a rapacious China unreasonably demanding an ever greater, disproportionate share of energy resources throughout the Pacific and around the globe."
Well, I agree with pretty much everything you said, but how can a 'rapacious' country that is 1/5 or so of the world population be considering to be "unreasonably' wanting a 'disproportionate' share? Hyperbole detracts from your other points
better to be direct and just call it a competition for resources with limited extraction capacity where the opponent is growing quickly and demanding more, and there isn't enough to go around.
You can never use too much hyperbole when dealing with the present ChiCom threat! : )
I really do regard China's behavior as totally rapacious, as they are completely blinded by their insatiable appetite for energy, driven onward by forces which they cannot see or control, let alone understand. They are like a blind man being driven by sheets of wind-swept rain in a furious hurricane of their own making. They greedily grope for energy and other resources and walk the Earth as Cain heeding not the consequences of their actions. Look at the Chinese notion of "fishing rights." They extend beyond their sphere using modern fishing technology and in fact end up stealing from their weaker neighbors. Their supreme disregard extends in to other areas as well (industrial espionage, oil rights, etc).
As to the ratios and percentages, with the unbridled, uncontrolled growth that they are experiencing, their share is expanding geometrically, and this will definitely have detrimental effects on others "at the table." If this were a civilized dinner engagement, they would be grabbing the whole turkey or roast, all the stuffing and the carrots and all the accoutrements.
Due to the finite nature of resources (basically its coming down to a zero sum game), yes, we have serious competition for resources on our hands. How this unfolding saga of Historic significance is depicted or characterized is up for grabs!
Give it your best shot, paint with your favorite oils! Yes, they have legitimate energy needs, but the way in which they have behaved and maintained their outrageous, false claims on "disputed" lands is unacceptable.
Oh yeah, I almost forgot. They are arming themselves to the teeth. The serpent is getting ready to bite.
We can debate as to how to interpret their actions and motives, fine with me. Regardless of how we each view the China issue, let’s keep a close eye on this issue as history unfolds and facts can be reviewed and debated. If I’m wrong, that’s fine with me. I would rather not see China pursue its State interests “by other means” (a la Clauswitz) as that could get ugly pretty quickly.
I think we can both agree it would be best for all concerned if China could just behave itself and dropped all specious claims on their neighbors land and resources. If you see evidence of them backing off, please ping me w/any info. I will definitely look at at.
Also, if you come across any news, articles, or emerging economic data on Chinese oil imports and oil and energy Research & Development in any country whatsoever, please ping me on that data. I will look at any info. you pass along. Ditto anything RE: any weapons deals they get from the EU, Russia etc
Appreciated, thanks !