China Is One Step Closer to Becoming a Naval Super Power

China’s first route to the Indian Ocean is operational

China's operational aircraft carrier, the Liaoning (front), sailing with other ships during a drill at sea on April 2018. A flotilla of Chinese naval vessels held a "live combat drill" in the East China Sea, state media reported early April 23, 2018, the latest show of force by Beijing's burgeoning navy in disputed waters that have riled neighbors. AFP via Getty Images

Commentary

Naval strategist Alfred Thayer Mahan said that the rise and fall of world trade and empires depends on sea power. Consequently, China’s Maritime Silk Road initiative has been compared to the British Empire strategy of establishing colonies that served as a series of seaports, not only for trade, but also for naval defense and offense.