Maggie's Farm

Recent unilateral actions by the Chinese to expand their sovereignty over air and sea space in and around the S. C. Sea seems a little bit desperate to me. If it is not the product of some administrative brain fart and/or is calculated to intimidate it's neighbors, it will backfire. There is also a chance that this new risky policy is a response to the very aggressive rhetoric coming from Washington. China is not invulnerable. There is no reason to panic. Contrary to the hyperbole we hear from our politicians, China is surrounded by many powerful competitors, trading partners and potential enemies. The 'new' aircraft carrier we hear so much about is a recycled piece of crap they purchased as scrap from the Russians. For the most part, Chinese economic growth has been fueled by her peaceful acquisition of mineral rights, trade agreements and manufacturing and construction projects all over the world. Peacefully and lawfully obtained. American politicians and business leaders should be half as intelligent. Instead, our leaders prefer the endless, pointless, insane war model. So, rather than allow ourselves to get panicked into war, China can be persuaded to behave itself. China has ruby and copper mines in Afghanistan. Who guards them? We do. China has oil and raw material interests all over Africa. Who secures them? Mostly former colonial powers and America. How to fix? The answer can be as simple as charging them cash and good behavior credits. Mines owned or leased by China and left unprotected in those very dangerous regions won't make a lot of money will they? Or else they can try fielding an army in Afghanistan or supplying lots of garrisons in Africa? I think not, as they have learned by watching us, that way leads to bankruptcy. Spending tons of money to secure risky investments is a great way to lose money. Leaving aside the mischief that India and Japan alone could do to the far flung and vulnerable business interests of the Chinese, it seems to me that China can be reasoned with.