Here we go:
Last week’s attack on the Chinese consulate in Karachi by Baluchi separatists underlines China’s growing vulnerabilities in connection with its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). These are likely to get worse and may ultimately lead to China assuming a new and quite different security role in the region.
Sure, I've noted that the flag follows trade because assets need protection. And the flag will make the people along those trade routes nervous about being something worth fighting for:
Chinese national interests will follow trade (the flag follows trade). Russia will have the biggest problem from this natural sequence.
But Indonesia, India, and other smaller powers will have to cope as well.
And if the article is correct, China simply can't make these land trade routes into what they hope they will be, so there will be more friction than benefit to the regions that the routes pass through.
And if the land portion of the trade route initiative doesn't work the way China's rulers want because so much trade goes by sea for good reasons--it is cheaper--doesn't that just mean that China will be even more eager to sustain the relatively meager gains for their interior provinces that such a OBOR policy provides?
And would force seem the best way to ensure that domestic tranquility is not disrupted by opposition to Chinese trade inland?
I've long wanted Chinese military power sucked west and inland rather than being pointed at America and our Pacific Rim allies and friends.
Not only does splitting Chinese military efforts reduce the threat to our Pacific Rim allies and friends, it draws in new allies and friends worried about Chinese expansion. India is Example A but Vietnam is also worried enough to seek our help.
And who knows if the shock of Chinese plans will redirect Pakistan from their disturbing path? Russia itself might finally end their subliminal appeasement of China (hidden by hostility to the West as if NATO is an actual threat).
This is from the initial article is simply amazing:
In Gwadar, a Chinese company has announced plans to build housing for up to 500,000 Chinese workers. If it proceeds, there are plans to build a gated community where, among other things, locals without a permit would be excluded.
That's just in one Pakistani port city! I know China is a big country but with labor shortages already in evidence with a low birthrate, how will China staff such cities in their vast Belt and Road initiative across Asia, Europe, and Africa?
Can China provide the Chinese staffing to build the assets let alone deploy the military power to protect them? And how much resistance to China's plans will require active use of that military power?
