Could it be that the continued provocations in the South China Sea, an arena in which China can barely hope to hold its own against the USN and USAF juggernaut, are in themselves a smokescreen veiling the continuing and long-term economic penetration of Africa and South America?

Why would China intentionally provoke an arms race fuelled regional realignment against themselves? To mollify PLA hardliners who feel it is their sacred (or whatever communists worship) duty to ensure the present and future security of the motherland?

What will the military response be should China start to make overtures for infrastructure development in Mexico? Don't ask me, I only work here.