In response to The Coming China-U.S. Conflict, in One Paragraph:
In one sentence: China has final say in the Hong Kong extradition treaty with respect to political asylees and it is fantasy for us to believe that filing charges against Edward Snowden is anything more than an attempt to save face.
You’re points on China’s dominance are spot on. China taking the Scarborough Shoals also known as Huangyan Island was the test and we failed in response. Expand the view of China’s long term strategy as they build the Nicaragua super-canal with a 100 year commitment. Super tankers which cannot fit into the Panama Canal will have a route, there will be an airport and one word comes to mind … foothold.