Chinaвђ™s Quest For Great Power: Ships, Oil, And ... -

China now operates the world’s largest navy by ship count. This shift from a coastal defense force to a "blue-water" navy allows Beijing to:

China fears a blockade of the narrow Strait of Malacca, where most of its oil passes.

(e.g., Belt and Road Initiative, global oil prices) China’s Quest for Great Power: Ships, Oil, and ...

Energy is the "Achilles' heel" of the Chinese economy. To fuel its growth and military, China is obsessed with energy security:

Influence regions far beyond the South China Sea. China now operates the world’s largest navy by ship count

(e.g., South China Sea, Arctic, Horn of Africa)

Using economic ties to secure long-term oil and gas contracts. Belt and Road Initiative

Rival the long-standing maritime supremacy of the U.S. Navy. 🛢️ The Oil Obsession