China’s dual use ambitions could severely threaten U.S. force posture

While the world’s attention has been elsewhere, Beijing appears to be quietly weaponizing critical infrastructure across the South Pacific. Under the guise of commercial development, Chinese state-owned enterprises reportedly have begun repurposing local airstrips and ports in ways that could accommodate Chinese military vessels and aircraft. The Luganville Wharf in Vanuatu, for instance, has undergone significant renovations and is now capable of docking large Chinese warships.

These efforts, not widely acknowledged by Chinese diplomats or military planners, portend ambitions to develop a regional network of dual-use infrastructure. If realized, Beijing could operate with unmatched maneuverability and operational reach during a crisis.

Washington has yet to fully appreciate what is taking shape: neither the National Defense Strategy, the National Security Strategy, nor the China Military Power Report so much as recognizes these developments.

Read more at Breaking Defense