For example, I don’t see how constructing artificial islands (aka “unsinkable carriers”) in contested waters helps with dominating the global economy.
The south China sea is home to a tremendous amount of resources. 7.7 billion barrels of oil proven, with an estimate of 28 billion barrels in total. Around 7.5 billion cubic meters of natural gas. Although its fishing resources are largely depleted, if properly managed it has tremendous sea agriculture potential as well. About 50% of world shipping traffic goes through the south China sea. Controlling the south China sea is about controlling resources that give one a dominating position in the regional and global economy.
Yes, the South China Sea is a valuable piece of real estate (if with a bit of a permanent flooding problem). So let’s compare two approaches. In one you buy and bribe enough consent out of neighbours to have them agree that the South China Sea is yours (and the nice goodies they got are theirs). In another one you plop down your military into the middle of the contested area and say “Do you feel lucky, punk?”.
Which approach, do you think, is more compatible with the idea of “re-establish[ing] itself as the center of the world by dominating the global economy”?
The south China sea is home to a tremendous amount of resources. 7.7 billion barrels of oil proven, with an estimate of 28 billion barrels in total. Around 7.5 billion cubic meters of natural gas. Although its fishing resources are largely depleted, if properly managed it has tremendous sea agriculture potential as well. About 50% of world shipping traffic goes through the south China sea. Controlling the south China sea is about controlling resources that give one a dominating position in the regional and global economy.
Yes, the South China Sea is a valuable piece of real estate (if with a bit of a permanent flooding problem). So let’s compare two approaches. In one you buy and bribe enough consent out of neighbours to have them agree that the South China Sea is yours (and the nice goodies they got are theirs). In another one you plop down your military into the middle of the contested area and say “Do you feel lucky, punk?”.
Which approach, do you think, is more compatible with the idea of “re-establish[ing] itself as the center of the world by dominating the global economy”?