China’s View of South Asia and the Indian Ocean

[davidbfpo]

A interesting, short article from Australia's Lowy Institute on whether China wants "pearls" or hotels for its navy (PLAN). It starts with:

Will China's growing global economic interests lead it to expand its overseas military presence and capabilities?' This is a question that has been asked by policymakers, academics and strategists since China's economic growth became dependent on its ability to access energy through maritime sea lanes and overseas markets.

Link:http://www.lowyinterpreter.org/post/..._WEEKLY&utm_me

It cites a report by a Singaporean think tank:http://ndupress.ndu.edu/Portals/68/D...pectives-7.pdf

First, there is no evidence that the Chinese are currently conducting military activities at any of the String of Pearls sites. To date, PLAN Gulf of Aden task forces have not used or visited a single String of Pearls site. Second, transactions between the PLAN and host countries providing support for PLAN Gulf of Aden operations have been commercial in nature. These ports have only provided “hotel services,” replenished supplies, and served as liberty sites for visiting PLAN ships.

[Ray]

US-China rivalry looms off Russia’s Far East borders

What is at stake for Russia as U.S.-Chinese tensions continue to rise in the Pacific?

Source: Russia Beyond the Headlines - http://rbth.com/opinion/2013/03/10/u...ers_23685.html)

In the jockeying for the Pacific Rim, the shadow of Russia cannot be overlooked.

However, this makes interesting reading.

Russia, which harbors plans to exploit the economic potential of Siberia and its Far East in close cooperation with its Asian neighbors, has something to mull over — in particular, the fact that any escalation between the U.S. and China is not in its national interest and does not agree with its comprehensive program of modernization.

The author of this article is a Russian who is the director of the ASEAN Center at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) under the Russian Foreign Ministry.

[davidbfpo]

A short video interview of a British SME on Sino-Indian relations in the Indian Ocean (17 mins):http://defaeroreport.com/2016/10/14/...-indian-ocean/

Thread reopened.