Posted on 12/02/2022 10:07:19 AM PST by DFG
The Chagos Islands may be little more than specks in the middle of the Indian Ocean, but they are at the center of a looming diplomatic row over a key American military base and the rise of Chinese power.
Lawmakers on both sides of the Atlantic have raised fears that the British government's decision to begin negotiations to hand over the islands to Mauritius could allow China the chance to build its own military facility on the archipelago — right under the nose of American forces at Diego Garcia.
The issue is one of the most important strategic locations in the Indian Ocean, from where U.S. B1 and B52 bombers can reach maritime chokepoints, vital sea lanes and even potential Chinese bases everywhere from Djibouti to Pakistan.
The British government says any deal will protect the U.S. operation at Diego Garcia.
But British MP Daniel Kawczynski is warning his American counterparts that handing sovereignty to Mauritius - with its deepening economic ties to Beijing - offers no guarantee that China won't soon have its own base on the island chain.
'If you look at the amount of investment the Chinese have in Mauritius, I would argue that for all intents and purposes they control Mauritius,' he told DailyMail.com.
'They have a policy of hoovering up all of these islands in the South China Sea... the idea the Chinese are not going to take advantage of us giving up these islands is wrong.'
He said he was writing to American colleagues to sound the alarm, and has called a debate at parliament's Westminster Hall next week.
Rep. Mike Waltz, ranking Republican on the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness, demanded an immediate review.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
Pei-Ping.
Don’t worry - its all part of a brilliant strategic neocon plan.
You oppose China by creating a grinding and expensive war in Ukraine, driving Russia into alliance with China, cutting off your own energy supplies, and bankrupting Europe
Forward!!
Sounds like India’s problem.
Biden and the Dems have been paid for the Chinese to move to any area they want including in the USA.
The upside: if we are in-range, so are they.
The U.S. needs to have it’s balls crushed before it will fight China.
The White House just responded to your comment.
"it offers tremendous strategic opportunity for the years to come.".
China is attempting colonization of the world. People say they have huge demographic issues.
I wonder if that also accounts for colonization efforts by China, not just mainland demographics.
“Sounds like India’s problem.”
Only if you believe the US has no strategic interest in maintaining the ability to cut off China’s oil supply.
And therefore a strategic interest in Japan, SoKorea, Taiwan and Australia.
Diego Garcia is essential to preserve those interests.
Actually, it is - when China inevitably militarizes the place the neocons will run to Congress demanding the next round of defense spending to counter them. Pockets are lined and the system is sustained for another year…
You’re right, I don’t. Japan can re-arm if it wants.
Massive Chinese colonization of USA and canada especially pacific coast — I whole cities have already gone Chinese majority and many more are over a third and rising fast. Places where Chinese were mostly unknown or under 5 percent previously.
Following the same pattern, when Carter gave away the Panama Canal in 99. And don’t forget Bagram Airfield.
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