In March 1996, a China Ocean Shipping cargo ship docked in Oakland, Calif.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Center For Security Policy

All the arms were aboard vessels belonging to the state-owned China Ocean Shipping Co. (Cosco), according to U.S. intelligence officials.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Center for Security Policy | Dirty Business: China Ocean Shipping Company Allegedly Running Guns �Cand Who Knows What Else �� to Cuba

Therefore, the Indian Ocean will remain strategically important as China seeks to challenge American primacy and gain access and control to vital shipping lanes.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Security and Democracy in Asia Mission Statement