Vanuatu.

This is coolbert:

As seen at the outstanding Internet web site Scholar's Stage. I recommend Scholar's Stage highly without qualification or reservation.

Think not merely String of Pearls! Think also Vanuatu?

"Losing Games We Don't Know Are Being Played"

"The Sydney Herald Morning Post has this on their front page"

"China eyes Vanuatu military base in plan with global ramifications"

CHINESE NAVAL PORT FACILITY VANUATU, SOUTH PACIFIC, OCEANIA.

"China has approached Vanuatu about building a permanent military presence in the South Pacific in a globally significant move that could see the rising superpower sail warships on Australia’s doorstep."

Geopolitical ramifications of the power projection variety using naval power! And of particular concern to Australia.

Nine-Dash Line/South China Sea/Spratly Islands we can all appreciate. Waters at least to a degree contiguous to the Chinese mainland. String of Pearls we can too appreciate. Energy supply routes and countering what is perceived as also geopolitical concerns vis-a-vis India.

Vanuatu is different however? Chinese naval forces no longer coastal-hugging sailors but with a pelagic [deep water] capability and far from home.

Devoted readers to the blog can comment? Australians! Obey tremble-ing-ly!

coolbert.