Indian Ocean is a major sea lane that carries strategic and life sustaining cargo for China i.e. the mineral from Africa and the all important oil from the Middle East the fuels its industry and economic boom.
Therefore, it is a utmost importance that China maintains a cognisable presence in the Indian Ocean given, as per Chinese perceptions, its inimical adversaries who while wishing to benefit from its markets and cheap goods, are not ready to give its due place in the sun!
To make their presence felt in the Indian Ocean, China has adopted the ''string of pearls'' strategy to offset her weakness in having a blue water navy, wherein she has organised naval stations around the Indian Ocean to ensure refuelling and maintenance facilities as organising powerful electronic listening stations to monitor activities of its adversaries in the air, land and sea and taking necessary action to subvert the adversaries.
The US is the sole global superpower. China has problems with Russia. India vies as a regional competitor. Therefore, there are problems for China to rules the Indian Ocean waves.
How far can change actually change the balance in the Indian Ocean in her favour or near parity, given the close alliance brewing between India, US, Singapore, Japan and Australia?
She does have Pakistan in her kitty with Malaysia, Burma and Si Lanka not too ambivalent.
Some links in this connection:
CHINA: TIBET- INDIAN OCEAN TRADE ROUTE –MIXING STRATEGY, SECURITY AND COMMERCE.
Asia Times Online :: South Asia news, business and economy from India and Pakistan
PINR - India's Project Seabird and the Indian Ocean's Balance of Power
India's Grand Strategy for the Indian Ocean: Mahanian Visions - Asia-Pacific Review
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HAKUNA MATATA