[SauronOfMordor]

The Philpines consiste of well over 7000 islands and a population of 70 million. There is widespread poverty and a host of social-economic problems. It is the "sick man of Asia", what the Brits call "a basket case" Now, in view of this, who in his right mind would even think of conquering her ?

The islands are in a very strategic position for a naval and air base. Whoever holds the Philipines can project power over the whole South Pacific

The Chinese could use the real estate -- the people are expendable. So you go in with your surplus males and take over. Then you have 35 million Philipine women to keep your men happy. Yes, the islands are poor. This means that the only men with the income to support a wife will be Chinese. The surplus Philipine men can be transferred to the sugar cane plantations.

The same process can be repeated in other poor-but-strategic countries, places with either good locations or good natural resources. I could see the Chinese moving in to take over Zimbabwe and South Africa once the US's economy is so bad that we don't have the resources to contest it any longer. Mugabe would welcome the Chinese if they would guarantee him a few more years in power, in exchange for the Chinese taking final possession

[Quix]

Far too much truth in what you say about the Philippines.

I have long suspected that the Chinese construe the Philippines to be theirs anyway--along with the Spratleys etc.

[The Pheonix]

RE youe post # 78

Yes, good point, the Philipines is strategically important for the control of the Pacific in times of war

But in view of the fact that the US has enough nuclear might (superiority) to vaporize the whole of China, this alone will make the Chinese think twice before they even dare to dream of world conquest

[the gillman@blacklagoon.com]

...The surplus Philipine men can be transferred to the sugar cane plantations...

Or sent into the next really hostile spot as the first wave.
Or the ones with potential could be trained as riot police back home in Beijing.

...Mugabe would welcome the Chinese if they would guarantee him a few more years in power, in exchange for the Chinese taking final possession...

Ah, the same deal as Klinton seemed to be looking for.