My uncle owned some large factories in RSA. The Chinese have bought them. Apparently they are buying a lot of the RSA. (South Africa) I see it as a global strategy. “Accidentally” have a LNG ship both blow up in the Panama canal and Suez. Control the Cape of Good Hope. You now control European trade with the far east. Also eastern South America. It is more than just a land play.
Part of China’s flanking movements.