Maybe, but one goal might be to sideline Taiwan. Also, says Friedman, China may be seeking a foothold in a region that would become strategically critical if relations with the U.S. deteriorate. The Pacific islands sprawl across the sea lanes between America and Asia. They do have excellent antiship missiles. If the Chinese were to place these missiles on a number of islands and U.S. carriers came sailing through from Pearl Harbor, things could get very nasty.
China wants to develop a space warfare capability.
China maintains a satellite-tracking station on Tarawa atoll, in Kiribati. Defense experts have speculated that the base could be used to monitor U.S. missile tests in the nearby Marshall Islands or assist a future space warfare effort. What Pacific islands governments do has seldom been of much concern to their larger neighbors. But an attentive China has given them respect and largess, thus laying the foundations for friendship and influence in a region that increasingly appears up for grabs. Home Conflict could be coming to Southeast Asia.