Eh, it's a little complicated. The Maldives just kicked out our (India) army, which historically provided security, and instead gave the contract to China. Nepal now has a pro-Chinese government. Bangladesh seems to be moving in that direction. Do the Maldives / Bangladesh / Nepal / Malaysia have the right to grow closer to China? Absolutely. Will they benefit from doing so? Possibly. But it will also make India, Japan, Australia, etc. feel encircled and threatened. I just hope this doesn't escalate further.