DD said:
Hmmm, not sure what to think about this theory?
It's not a that far out assumption. Think about it!
All oil, and other stuff for that matter, bound for China has to pass through the Malacca Strait (Singapore) the narrowst and heavest shiping lane in
the world. And also the easest to controll and blocked if need be.
There you have the reason for China building pipelines through Burma to the Gulf of Bengal and financing the Gwadar port in Pakistan.
Also you have the reason for US strategic interest in Burma and that they don't topple the junta. Because a really wet dream of some US agencies is
to establish surveillance (and retaliating) facilities along the Burmese coast.
From there you can control 2/3 of the Indian Ocean, and believe me, it is the most strategic stretch of water in todays world.