The Strait of Malacca, an important link between East and West, is also a place full of crises and opportunities. Here, the interests of countries are intertwined, and conflict and cooperation coexist. As a major maritime power, China is very concerned about the security and smooth passage of the Strait of Malacca, and has been seeking partners for peaceful development. However, the United States is uneasy about China's actions and has even threatened to take tough measures against China. Why is that?This article will analyze this problem from the following aspects.
The Strait of Malacca is the main sea lane between Asia and Europe and one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world. Tens of thousands of ships pass through here every year, transporting a wide variety of goods, including oil, gas, minerals, grain, etc. The Strait of Malacca accounts for a quarter of the world's largest amount and plays a vital role in the stability and development of the global economy.
The Strait of Malacca is also geographically unique in that it is located at the junction of three countries, Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia, which are jointly administered by these three countries. This has led to a complex mix of forces in the Strait of Malacca, with not only the influence of these three countries, but also the involvement of other countries such as the United States, India, and Japan. These countries all have their own interests and strategic goals, sometimes there are frictions and conflicts, and sometimes they cooperate and coordinate.
China is the largest user of the Strait of Malacca, and more than eighty percent of import and export goods pass through it every year, including energy, the largest part of China's foreign world. China is a big energy demander, and in order to meet the needs of industrial production and people's livelihood consumption, China has to import a large amount of oil and natural gas from the Middle East, Africa and other places. The transportation of these energy sources, if taken by land, is not only time-consuming, labor-intensive, but also a waste of money, so sea freight has become the best option. The Strait of Malacca is the only way for these energy shipments and is crucial to China's energy security.
However, China is facing tremendous pressure and threats in the Strait of Malacca. On the one hand, the United States has a strong military presence near the Strait of Malacca, and it has a naval base in Singapore that can monitor and interfere with Chinese ships at any time, and even blockade the Strait of Malacca to cut off China's energy **. U.S. senators have threatened to use nuclear weapons against China if it dares to challenge U.S. interests. On the other hand, India also has a certain military advantage near the Strait of Malacca, and it has a joint command of the three services on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, which can control the western entrance of the Strait of Malacca. India has also said it will retaliate against China if it makes a move in the South China Sea or elsewhere, including a blockade of the Strait of Malacca.
Faced with such a dilemma, China has not chosen confrontation and conflict, but peace and cooperation. China has always adhered to the diplomatic philosophy of openness and peace, respected the sovereignty and interests of the countries bordering the Straits of Malacca, actively participated in the security and environmental protection of the Straits of Malacca, and established good cooperative relations with other countries. One of the most representative is the Huangjing Port project jointly built by China and Malaysia.
The Huangjing Port project is an important outcome of the cooperation between China and Malaysia under the Belt and Road Initiative, and is one of the largest infrastructure projects in Malaysia. Located on the eastern shore of the Straits of Malacca, not far from the Port of Singapore, the project is jointly funded by China and Malaysia in Malaysian currency of 80 billion Malaysian currency and is expected to be completed in 2025. At that time, Huangjing Port will become one of the largest ports in the world, with a throughput of more than 100 million tons, which can accommodate 200,000-ton ships and even dock Chinese aircraft carriers.
The Huangjing Port project has great significance and impact on both China and Malaysia. For China, Huangjing Port can enhance China's influence and voice in the Strait of Malacca, enhance China's maritime security and convenience, and can also provide an important supply and docking point for China's navy, and enhance China's maritime strategic capabilities. For Malaysia, Huangjing Port can promote Malaysia's economic development and job creation, enhance Malaysia's international status and competitiveness, and enhance Malaysia's friendly and cooperative relations with China and other countries.
However, the Huangjing Port project has also caused dissatisfaction and concern in the United States. The United States believes that the Huangjing Port project is China's strategic layout in the Strait of Malacca and a manifestation of China's attempt to challenge the United States' leadership and interests in the Asia-Pacific region. The United States is concerned that the Huangjing Port project will weaken the United States' military superiority and influence in the Strait of Malacca, and will also affect the security and interests of its allies and partners in Southeast Asia. As a result, the United States has been interfering with and obstructing the Huangjing Port project, trying to get Malaysia to abandon or delay the progress of the project.
The Strait of Malacca is a place of both opportunities and challenges, where China faces pressure and threats from countries such as the United States and India.