It makes perfect sense for shipping companies to be interested in controlling terminals.
And, since this is the information age, no one needs a crystal ball to see that this is what the Chinese government is attempting to accomplish through the business dealings and partnerships of its government shipping company COSCO.
One only needs to 1) read their web pages and other business news pages and 2) apply good old common sense.
COSCO's plans, mergers, pending deals, (and even their failures) all point in one direction--they want to get into the port/terminal business
COSCO'S failures to get some mouthwatering deals don't mean COSCO wasn't interested in managing prime locations along coasts. Clinton's failure to give COSCO a lease on the old Navy Base in Long Beach, CA, doesn't mean the Chinese government wasn't interest in getting their hands on it. The fact that their deal to get a Greek port isn't finalized, doesn't mean they don't want the port.
. The grandstanding folks in Congress, who are so concerned about port safety, didn't need a crystal ball to see that the UAE was interested in buying P&O either. If they are all that stupid, especially the folks on the Homeland Security-related committees, they don't deserve to represent us.
I agree with you that China and Dubai and Singapore are all interested in controlling port terminals.
I think you need a crystal ball when you draw a line between them wanting to conduct business and them wanting to help blow up a port or use a port to help terrorists. Just think, if Dubai or China screwed up at just one port, they would have to kiss their whole shipping/port business goodbye.
We live in a global economy and that is nothing but good for the United States. The United States profits from participating in the global economy. We will only remain a super-power as long as we participate in that global economy. In the late 70's and 80's Americans opted out of the port terminal managing business because it wasn't profitable at the time. That is not China's fault, or Singapore's fault or Dubai's fault. It's certainly not Bush's fault. I'm of a mind that it's no one's fault, but the Americans that were originally in the port business who sold out.
So now we have a few companies that are qualified to do this business and can afford to win the bids for the business. They all have exemplary records in the business. There is no reason to stop any of them from doing business in the United States.