Strategy versus strategy – China versus India

Two Asian powers expanding their reach and influence into Southeast Asia. On the East there is China claiming the little rocks in the South China Sea with potential for oil. Just potential, but still quite good chances of striking some black gold. From the West there is India setting its eyes on the Jewel of Southeast Asia, a thriving and very rich little city with added strategic values militarily and economically.

While China is being challenged by several of the Asean countries, with the USA hiding behind them, India is in Singapore, welcomed and unchallenged. With CECA in her bag, India could literally transfer and transport whole cities of its industries and businesses and people into the island, legally. And with the agreement, it could even sue the City’s govt for trying to obstruct or delay the transmigration of its people and businesses into the City. There is no competition and no USA hiding behind to throw obstacles along the way.

As of today, unofficially, there are probably more Indian nationals in the City than the Indian citizens of the City. Combined they could be the second largest ethnic group in the City, overtaking the Malays. If there is no slowing down to the migration of Indian nationals, it is only a matter of time that ethnic Indians will be competing with the Chinese citizens as the biggest racial group in the island City.

The acquisition of this City will come along with all its riches, a thriving city state with all its assets, national reserves in the trillions, institutions and a well educated population. And most important of all, controlling a choke point in the sea route between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. Controlling this strategic City is controlling the gate to the region and passage through the region. It is a master stroke, a master strategy many times more superior to controlling some little uninhabited islands in the South China Seas and risking wars with the littoral states and the USA.

Taking over the city state could be just a formality, if the islanders are happy with the arrangement or sleeping and without knowing what is happening until the rice is cooked. It would be a fait accompli, or a de facto ownership of the island, with the consent of the Sinkies of course. Quietly and stealthily, one business park at a time, one housing estate at a time, the acquisition is real and expanding.

The two Asian giants, each one setting eyes on expanding their control and influence into the region but aiming for different assets. Controlling and taking over the city state would be many times more valuable and strategic than the rocks in the South China Seas.