China's communistic aspirations extend far beyond just Taiwan when it comes to the waterways. I was in Singapore recently, talking with some of the locals and they are quite concened about China's efforts to gain access to waterways all around Southeast Asia...it has been going on for some time. It is hard evidence to China's expansionist efforts. And the last thing that China should get is trust.
Ping!
I agree... And to think that Old Europe wants to lift the military trade ban with the Chinese...
Scary...
An oft overlooked adjunct to that, which should be of grave concern to all in ASEAN, is the almost unreal improvement in the PRC's ability to tackle overland logistics toward the South. To be accurate, it's more than that. It is both the interconnection with ASEAN, as well as the internal interconnections between major cities, ports and major border crossings both north and south. There now exists a brand new autobahn system (this nomenclature chosen on purpose) allowing for materiel, men and armor to be moved easily between the heartland of central Asia / Siberia, into Chinese industrial areas, and then, onward into ASEAN. Possibly the most important element in all this, the Kunming-Bangkok Superhighway, is nearing completion and ought to be on line by early next year. Factoid - it would take 72 hours for a PLAAF TEL, mounted with a DF-15, with a nuclear payload, to be in place, on the outskirts of Singapore. When the Japanese took Singapore, they landed troops on the Malaysian landmass and cut it off from the North. They were helped by the age old problem of Singapore, being reliant on Malaysia. Now, imagine the evolving scenario. By sea, using forward bases in the Spratly Islands and Myanmar, the PLAN descends upon the Strait of Malacca. And meanwhile, by land, they course down from the North, occupying Tbailand and Malaysia. Perhaps, they might even be invited in by the Chinese diaspora. Just how capable would the SDF be in such a scenario. They are strong, but are they THAT strong?
I've said it before and I'll say it again, China wants the waterways to build themselves a navy to rival ours.