China’s Silky Indian Ocean Plans

Under Xi, China has moved to a proactive posture to shape its external security environment, using trade and investment to expand its sphere of strategic influence while simultaneously asserting territorial and maritime claims against its neighbors. The Maritime Silk Road project is driven by his belief that the maritime domain holds the key to China achieving preeminence in Asia.

Brahma Chellaney, Professor, Center for Policy Research via CHINA US Focus http://ift.tt/1Pd5ovV