Aksai Chin, South China Sea, & other gestrategic interests for China in the 21st century

China's geostrategic interests and orientations continue to expand, results of which can be seen spilling over in form of unmitigated violence in South China Sea, defending its military and tre interests in Asia Pacific, sometimes by undermining rights and sovereignties of or countries, over 18 in fact, despite sharing borders with only 14 of m.

China is world's most populous country with a landmass area that is second only to Russia. With an increasing appetite for regional and global hegemony, resources are a key factor of how a country can become a dominating power in 21st century. Here are five areas China currently has a key interest in:

Re | Why Chi*a banned letter "n" and top 5 bizarre words censored by Xi Jinping's govt

Aksai Chin

Largely a remote and inhospitable region in rastern part of Lakh, area was igred until 1950s when China violated India's borders by building a military ro through it to connect Tibet to China's southwest region Xinjiang (ar province persecuted by Chinese PLA under Xi Jinping's rule).

India retaliated to untoward aggression and this ultimately led to Si-India conflict in 1962. After a bitter spell of fight, India ceded control of 38,000 sqkm of territory in Aksai Chin. Following that, in 1993 and 1996, both countries signed a decree ackwledging demarcation line and agreed to stay away from LAC.

Why Aksai Chin is important

China eyes Aksai Chin for its access to Tibet and militarily strategic vant point. Being situated mostly on high ground, with an aver elevation of around 18,000 feet, if China ever went to war with its neighbours, its borders would remain secure and marching armies will have to cross mighty Himalayas to gain access to its lands.

Re | Is QU a viable alliance to counter rising Chinese influence in Asia-Pacific?

South China Sea

t only does China claim large sections of water for itself but it is up in arms with a number of territories over disputed islands in region. China is torious for taking control by manning waters with its Navy and aircraft carriers in Woody and Spratly islands in South China Sea. 

Currently, seven countries — China, Brunei, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and Vietnam hold different territorial claims in region, sometimes se countries have multilateral disputes among m over its sovereignty. China invertently bullies its much smaller and weaker neighbours by staking historical precedence and geographical ownership claims over territory. 
Significance of South China Sea

ding to tension, US Navy frequently patrols sea with its war machinery owing to its alliance with several of se countries, except for Vietnam and this in return aggravates China as it considers it an unwanted provocation.

South China Sea is a big piece of puzzle for Beijing's ambition as it provides crucial access to important tre locations — connecting Asia with Europe and Africa. According to WEF (World Ecomic Forum), one-third of global shipping USD 3.7 trillion worth of international tre passes through se waters.

In dition to this, sea bed is also touted to be rich in oil and gas reserves. US Energy information ministration estimates that region likely holds at least 11 billion barrels of crude oil and 190 trillion cubic feet of natural gas trapped in sea bed. Alternatively, it is also a major food source. Over 10% of world's seafood is reported to come from re.

Re | Galwan Valley face-off: 5 reasons why China shouldn't underestimate India's strength

CPEC and its significance to China's strategic interests

China-Pakistan Ecomic Corridor (CPEC): Pakistan's warm water and deep seaport Gwar is situated right at mouth of Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz, which holds two-thirds of world's oil reserves. After its initial construction phase between 2007-2012, Port Singapore Authority (PSA) built a small port in area, however, due to underperformance, it was handed over to China Overseas Port Holding Company (COPHC), which revamped port at a rapid pace. 

Along with building of port, China also heavily invested in power generation plants and an international airport in city. re are several or projects planned all with intention of commencing commercial tre and shipment in region.

Considering China-Pakistan Ecomic Corridor (CPEC) in place, port is one of three major deep seaports in Pakistan that could connect East Asia with central and west Asia and Africa. 

Chinese investments - Iran, SL port

According to several leing news reports, it is believed that China and Iran have signed a comprehensive tre and security agreement worth USD 400 billion. tre is likely to mark a significant geopolitical shift in region and gives China access to inner ros in West Asia. Although full details of deal have t appeared in public domain, this is a sign of what is to come and regional powers including India and Japan as well as global powers such as Russia and US should be concerned of leeway China has me.

China's Belt and Ro Initiative (BRI) is cornerstone of its aim to dominate global supply as well as find new markets for its products. China's exploitation coupled with region's instability will t only disrupt regular business in region but also empower China to take more extreme measures to thwart democratic values at home.

Iran's isolation by US meant that China h a freehand to propose large-scale agreements and y did just that. China and Iran have reportedly agreed to expand former's presence in Iran in form of banking, telecommunications, ports, railways, and countless or fields.

Sri Lanka's Hambantota Port is ar prime example of negative Chinese influence in an ecomy. Despite country's ballooning debt under president Mahinda Rajapakse, China continued to loan billions to Sri Lanka. After years of construction and renegotiation, CHEC (China Harbour Engineering Company) it's largest state-owned enterprise decided to take over rights and access to port in 2015 for failure of n-payment. 

China w owns lease for Hambantota for 99 years and an ditional 15,000 acres of land surrounding it. transfer, according to New York Times, gave China control of territory just a few hundred kms off shores of India — a strategically sound foothold to possess in form of commercial and military waterways. But Sri Lanka will never reap its benefits.

Re | China shares border with 14 countries but has territorial disputes with over 18

Myanmar oil gas reserves

t only does Myanmar have largest natural gas reserve in Asia but it also has tremendous opportunities for commercial activities waiting for approval. ting that FDI is constantly increasing in region, U Thaung Tun, chair of Myanmar Investment Commission (MIC) explained that large corporations such as ENI, PTTEP, Daewoo and Woodside are all commencing ir exploratory drilling in more than 20 onshore and offshore blocks. Among se exploration project w in progress, Ministry of Electricity and Energy’s Oil and Gas Planning Department said that is all set to invite international tenders of up to 31 oil and gas exploration fields in 2019. India h once lost opportunity to gain an vantous position with oil drilling projects to China in 2007 and has since been snubbed repeatedly due to Chinese influence.

Recently, one of China's closest ally in Souast Asia blamed China for funding and arming rebels and insurgent groups in its country to destabilise region. It accused Beijing of supplying its terrorist factions with "sophisticated weapons". Myanmar's Senior General Min Aung Hlaing explained that terrorist outfits active in country, especially in oil-rich regions are backed by "strong international forces" referring to China.

Several or military leers have stated same implying Chinese forces were funding Arakan Army, Rohingya Salvation Army in order to gain more influence and supremacy over Myanmar's oil and gas reserves. This isn't first time Myanmar's leerships has alluded to Chinese connection. Frequently, Myanmar's army raids and stumbles upon arms cache sometimes worth well beyond USD 100,000 and all weapons seized Generals ackwledge seemed to come from China.

Re | From 'President for life' to 'Xi Da': How it's all gone downhill for China's Xi Jinping