The great imperial struggles of the 1800s were over control of strategic or otherwise prized resources, and the hostilities they generated helped stoke World Wars I and II. Many believe the Iraq war was all about oil.

China is considering adopting a contemporary variant of the colonial model. A Ministry of Agriculture proposal suggests that rather than conquer territory to secure needed farmland, it could simply buy it up. But this path proves likes to engender resistance from the locals in countries with conquered occupied investee sites. This might work if done quietly, with local players acting as fronts. But this program will have to be very large scale to achieve its desired aims, which is improving food security, which makes keeping a low profile well nigh impossible.

And does China really think it can export food from large tracts of land abroad if the natives are hungry? There are major risks, such as governments asserting eminent domain to repatriate property and sabotage of transport.

China is concentrating its efforts on Africa and South America. In many areas, the control of the central government is weak. Will China wind up employing local mercenaries to secure its interests? It will be interesting to watch this initiative play out.

From the Financial Times: