[McGruff]

...The hotly contested region is also rich in fossil fuels which China desperately needs...

Is that what’s it’s all about?

[Mariner]

“Is that what’s it’s all about?”

No.

China is trying to establish a plausibly effective buffer between the 7th Fleet and its mainland.

[Williams]

Yeah

[Sa-teef]

Freedom of navigation passes on the Chinese built coral rock piles is nothing new and the Chicks are known for getting a little testy at times.

The Scots are drawing conclusions about it ....the oil/gas potential and the canceling of their invite....without any clear facts.

FONOPs will continue under President Trump regardless of the Chinese semantics being played out....because we can.

[null and void]

Is that what’s it’s all about?

Yep. It's always about power.

Vietnam was, according to a Green Beret roommate of mine, all because of the oil in the Mekong Delta. A fact that the then America supporting press neglected to mention.

I've seen reference to it exactly once in the MSM, a mention in passing in a boat people sob story about how they had to black out and very quietly slip by the drilling platforms to escape.

[P.O.E.]

It’s about territorial waters, which include mineral (oil) rights, fishing, etc. Not to mention projecting military and political power.