[harpseal]

The simple fact the PRC now controls the canal makes any expansion of its capacity a militarily significant issue as well as an economic issue.

[Jeff Head]

They would increase its size now for economic reasons and later perhaps for military use...but the real military use for them would come when they deny it to us. Either by defending it or destroying it, to impede our movement of troops and materiel across the Pacific.

[WoofDog123]

"The simple fact the PRC now controls the canal makes any expansion of its capacity a militarily significant issue as well as an economic issue.
"

Could you please come down here (panama) and show me the PRC 'controlling' the panama canal?

There are a lot of chinese here and things associated, but they don't control any canal. This is one of the more obnoxious urban myths that has sprung from H-W corruptly buying the balboa and cristobal port concession.

With modern military tech, the canal is not a controllable or defendible asset.