Planting ones Flag

China is expanding its Empire around the world. It has planted its flag in other nations waters some by going to the islands governments and offering to upgrade those nations by bringing them into the 21st century. Roads, water plants, solar panels, Wifi, harbors, low interest loans. If they are there the US is not.
Other times by taking coral reefs as navel bases.
Just as Japan did before December 7th, China will keep the US Navy from using these islands chain as bases.
China goal is to make it almost impossible to help any nation in Asia once China military decides to make a move on Taiwan.