I see now, that when you wrote of "the Chinese Army cutting right through America's heartland" you were writing figuratively.
I used to do major problem solving, not on this magnitude though! Like a game of chess, you always line up the known actors, and attempt to second guess all potential moves, and of why they are moving. You must always include all variables and players. Hutchison Whampoa is a large and major player. We know HW are involved in Punta Colonet, Mexico and other Caribbean Gulf ports such as Tampico etc. Although the Chinese have a small contingent in Panama, no I don't visulize them marching up I-35, and yes, I agree with you, that would be far fetched or moon bat thinking! Hopefully, we're not there yet.