Page 559 - SSB Interview: The Complete Guide, Second Edition
P. 559
China recognises India’s dominance over the Indian Ocean.
China has reportedly developed a naval base near the Strait of
Malacca on the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, which is a distant part of
Australia.
7. South China Sea:
It is the key strategic region for China and a potential trouble spot.
The Chinese government began aggressively asserting its territorial
claims in the region over the last two decades.
Historically, the interest in the region extends to the rich fishing
and mineral resources known to exist there. However, islets in the
regions can also be used as air and sea bases for intelligence and
surveillance.
The naval base on Hainan Island is considered the first of the pearls
or potential pearls.
A Chinese proposal to fund the construction of a canal across the
Kra Isthmus has also been reported. This canal would allow ships
to bypass the Strait of Malacca, linking Chinese ports and facilities
in the South China Sea to the Indian Ocean.
8. Myanmar & Bangladesh:
China has built a gas pipeline of about 2,400 km from Myanmar to
China.
A military base in Coco Island of Myanmar has also been reported.
The port at Chittagong in Bangladesh has been developed to give
China a foothold in the Bay of Bengal. A significant part of
Chinese trade passes through this port.
China is reportedly negotiating with Bangladesh to develop a naval
base at Chittagong.
9. Sri Lanka:
