I believe this is essentially correct. They are doing exactly what the Japanese did in the 1930s, knowing they need the oil and trying to secure the supply, both by sea and by land.
At some point, that need and desire will conflict with us and they know it and are preparing for it. Maybe over Taiwan, maybe over the Spratley's, maybe in conjunction with their relationship with some one like Iran or N. Korea.
Think about all those COSCO container ships bringing all those Chinese goodies you buy at WAL*MART.
There must be thousands.
How long do you suppose it would take to unload the containers and turn those into transport ships - or even missile platforms?
Don't think for a minute Chinese don't think this way. We had better start taking them seriously.
Soon it will be too late to stop the inevitable, I fear.
It may be already.