Found this article and it mentioned China sending over two of it's best war ships to fight the pirates and safe guard China's interests in the region. I know it sounds crazy but if China really put a military footprint in say Sudan under the cover of protecting their oil investments. Can I assume that's one of the worlds important choke points? I don't follow naval topics much but after reading this article it made me think "what if". China has already has a footprint in Africa and it's spreading. All the talk over the years of somebody making a grab at the Middle East oil but what if the target was eastern Africa, plenty of oil and other minerals. Would Europe or the US say anything if China dump troops and equipment there?
PLA Navy to guard China’s global interests
http://www.upiasia.com/Security/2009/02/20/pla_navy_to_guard_chinas_global_interests/1570/
PLA Navy to guard China’s global interests
http://www.upiasia.com/Security/2009/02/20/pla_navy_to_guard_chinas_global_interests/1570/