This shows a clear overall trend of increasing energy dependence. Numerous islets, some fringed by reefs and sand ridges, hinder passage at the southern entrance to the strait. The Strait of Malacca is a vital global shipping lane. It runs between the Indonesian island of Sumatra to the west and peninsular (West) Malaysia and extreme southern Thailand to the east and has an area of about 25,000 square miles (65,000 square km). Toward the northwest, the bottom gradually deepens until it reaches to about 650 feet (200 metres) as the strait merges with the Andaman Basin. Surface-water temperatures in the strait are 87 to 88 °F (30.6 to 31.1 °C) in the east and may be as much as 4 °F (2.2 °C) lower in the west. China is not the only power capable of using an anti-access, area-denial strategy. The Straits of Malacca and Singapore is one of the most important shipping waterways in the world from both an economic and a strategic perspective. Joins: Andaman Sea & South China Sea. This creates a security issue for China as the Straits function as a strategic ‘chokepoint‘ through which China’s energy supply must pass. The strait was successively controlled by the Arabs, the Portuguese, the Dutch, and the British. This strait separates Peninsular Malaysia from Sumatra island of Indonesia. For example, in the case of natural gas China is a relatively large producer of energy but in recent years an imports have exceeded the level of production. Before you download your free e-book, please consider donating to Raising the question, ‘what should they do to create energy security for themselves?’ The issue of where to source the energy from is of course the most obvious one. Strait of Malacca, waterway connecting the Andaman Sea (Indian Ocean) and the South China Sea (Pacific Ocean). In early times, it helped to determine the direction of major Asian migrations of peoples through the Malay Archipelago. Malacca was founded by Parameswara, the last king of Singapura who ruled from 1389 to 1398, and then fled after an invasion in 1398. All content on the website is published under the following Creative Commons License, Copyright © — E-International Relations. The government of China is no doubt acutely aware of its energy dependence and the vulnerability of this supply. The United States is certainly dependent upon oil from zones of international tension. In 1993, about 7 million barrels per day (bbl/d) of oil and petroleum products (20% of world seaborne oil trade) passed through the Strait of Malacca, according to the Center for Naval Analysis. Even if China were able to diversify the direct method of supply any major power with the ability to deny or frustrate Chinese access to the general area would be able to impact China’s energy security in ways that Beijing is no doubt uncomfortable with. The United States no doubt has access strategies but a state seeking to check an action in this region has other options. The Straits of Malacca and Singapore is one of the most important shipping waterways in the world from both an economic and a strategic perspective. In raw terms, passage through the Straits of Malacca amounts to around 80% of China’s oil imports, meaning that some 40% of general consumption. What Can a Japan-US-India-Australia Cooperation Do? Besides other ships, the strait affords passage to giant oil tankers voyaging between the Middle East oil fields and ports in Japan and elsewhere in East Asia. The rapid economic development of China and India is likely to enhance the importance of the Straits of Malacca. Even if this is not the case, it shows that China and Indian planners are no doubt working in the same strategic space. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. Unlike Malacca, Singapore – an island at the southern tip of the Strait of Malacca – was still rather insignificant in economic terms at the beginning of the nineteenth century. Singapore, one of the world’s most important ports, is situated at the strait’s southern end. Being the shortest route between the two, this waterway is of global significance, perhaps the most important maritime trade routes in the world. All Rights Reserved | Site by Rootsy. As the link between the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea, the Strait of Malacca is the shortest sea route between India and China and hence is one of the most heavily traveled shipping channels in the world. It is the busiest strait in the world, with some 100,000 vessels plying annually through it. The Strait carries 50,000 vessels per year, carrying between one-fifth and one qua… Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Location: Indonesia –Malaysia. The Bering Strait is an important waterway between the easternmost point of Asia and … In a theoretical conflict in the South China Sea, the Chinese could seek to deny access to the United States, thus keeping their military outside of the conflict zone. ‘Oil Then,’ ‘Water Now’: Another Reason for War in the 21st Century? Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. One of these is the Straits of Malacca, the sea passage connecting the China Sea with the Indian Ocean. The Strait of Malacca has strategic importance, too: China, the dominant Asian power, is heavily reliant on the Middle East for its energy needs; about 25 percent of oil shipped … These sources of energy dependence create a dilemma for Chinese policy makers. The Importance of the Straits of Malacca. The average annual rainfall varies between 76 inches (1,930 mm) and 101 inches (2,570 mm). maximum figure reached by the United States, imports have exceeded the level of production, 80% of China’s oil imports, meaning that some 40%, ability of the United States to deploy it’s advantages, straits of Malacca in peacetime and blockade it during wartime. In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, petroleum companies established new oil wells to exploit the oil fields along Sumatra’s east coast, just off the Sunda Shelf region. Corrections? Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Malacca, on a fine natural harbour, commanded the main sea route between India and China through the strait that now bears its name. Malacca Strait. The growth of the Chinese economy has been accompanied by a commensurate rise in a dependence upon offshore resources. Bai Chi, one of the thousands of Chinese tankers that regularly traverse Malacca.. The development of the Chinese military has focused on the ability of their forces to engage in anti-access or area-denial capability. The Strait of Malacca is the primary chokepoint in Asia, and in recent years, between 85% and 90% of annual total petroleum flows through this chokepoint were crude oil. The importance of this is underlined by China’s 2018 Arctic policy. The strait is silting on both sides, and, near the mouths of large rivers, silt accretions range from about 30 feet (9 metres) on the coast of Malaya to about 650 feet annually on the east coast of Sumatra. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). The United States sources over 50% of its oil imports from the western hemisphere whereas China is far more dependent upon reserves from places like Iran, Saudi Arabia and Angola. 2. Due to the Malacca Straits’ strategic centrality in contemporary regional shipping routes, the Japanese have become very concerned about the passage of ships through the area as they have increasingly attracted the attention of maritime criminals such as pirates and smugglers. The close proximity of land and the discharge of large rivers result in a low salinity for the strait. It is the shortest shipping channel between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, linking major economies such as … China itself is vulnerable to this sort of a doctrine. The strait derived its name from the trading port of Melaka (formerly Malacca)—which was of importance in the 16th and 17th centuries—on the Malay coast. Joins: Andaman Sea & South China Sea. The sand ridges are identified as accumulations of material that have been brought down by rivers from Sumatra. As the link between the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea, the Strait of Malacca is the shortest sea route between India and China and hence is one of the most heavily traveled shipping channels in … Throughout the year, the current flows northwest through the strait. support open access publishing. Therefor, China faces a prospect of risking a decline one security relationship if it attempts to act on another. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. In the case of Coal, China is a major producer and has through great efforts, managed to remain a net exporter, but only by a very narrow margin. In the south of the strait, water depths rarely exceed 120 feet (37 metres) and are usually about 90 feet (27 metres). Thus the security situation in the region is highly complicated and must continue to be studied and managed. Any Trade through the Malacca Straits historically played a major role in the formation of the littoral states such as Srivijaya, Aceh, Melaka, Johore, the Straits Settlements and more recently Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore. The Strait of Malacca as one of the most important geopolitical regions for the People’s Republic of China. The Chinese trend in energy dependence in oil is repeated if one widens the scope to include other sources of energy. Updates? amount, in any currency, is appreciated. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. The basic outline of an anti-access area denial strategy is that while a state cannot defeat the United States in a conventional conflict, it can invest in cheaper alternatives that restrict the ability of the United States to deploy it’s advantages. The United States is certainly dependent upon oil from zones of international tension. The “New Type of Major Power Relations”: A New Normal in Sino-US Ties, Opinion – Emerging Elements of a New US-China Cold War, Sino-UK Relations and the Impact of Trump, The Future of Popular Geopolitics: Mega-Shark Cinematic Diplomacy. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Small boats moored at Port Kelang harbour, Malaysia, on the Strait of Malacca. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. As we have previously discussed, a state could deny China it’s strategically vital resources by blocking the Strait of Malacca or interrupting this supply at some point along the transport route. However, in the case of China, this dependence is far more pronounced. Malacca Strait. The Strait forms the main ship passageway between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, linking three of the world's most populous nations: India, Indonesia and China. Strait of Malacca Written by Andreea Cristina Brinza, Geopolitics.ro The Strait of Malacca is a gateway between Asia and the West and one of the most important world energy valves, hosting about 40% of world trade. Major straits of the world are used by commercial shipping to travel from one sea or exclusive economic zone to another and they are of immense strategic and commercial importance. Bering Strait. The Strait of Malacca is a stretch of water located between the Indian and the Pacific Ocean. That is, the matching of a particular capability to a specific need in such a way as to maximise the outcome and minimise the risk. The proximity this sea to the Chinese mainland means that its area denial capabilities are at their strongest in this area. According to the data of the U.S. Energy Information Administration, over 30% of maritime crude oil trade passes through the South China Sea.Over 90% of the crude oil arriving in that sea pass through the Strait of Malacca, i.e. From an economic and strategic perspective the Strait of Malacca is one of the most important shipping lanes in the world, an equivalent of the Suez Canal, or the Panama Canal. Geologically, the strait belongs to the Sunda Shelf, which was an extensive, low-relief land surface at the beginning of Quaternary time (about 2.6 million years ago), and appears to have remained undisturbed by crustal movements for about the past 7 million years. The strait attained its present configuration after having been inundated by the postglacial rise of the sea level resulting from the melting of land ice in higher latitudes. Cross Straits Trading Patterns Local trade has been carried on through the centuries, but has increased considerably since the end of the economic crisis of the 1990s and the end of armed conflict in Aceh. Coastal swamps are commonly found on both sides of the strait, and a huge, low-lying swamp forest lies along the eastern coast of Sumatra. The United States has developed method of thinking about how to counter this sort of strategy through the development of its ‘Air-Sea Battle‘ doctrine. Some of the important and major straits of the world are described as follows – ... Major Straits of World : Malacca Strait. The strait is a critical transit chokepoint and has become increasingly important over the last two decades. If we once again focus upon oil, the vast majority of China’s oil imports pass through the Straits of Malacca, Lombok and Sunda. He found a good port strategically located narrowest point of the Malacca Straits, where he established Malacca in 1402. The Strait of Malacca is also an important transit route for liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Persian Gulf and African suppliers, particularly Qatar , to East Asian countries with growing LNG demand. Donations are voluntary and not required to download the e-book - your link to download is below. At this point, China’s energy dependence upon oil from the Middle-East is roughly comparable to the maximum figure reached by the United States. E-IR is an independent non-profit publisher run by an all volunteer team. However, it is in this area that China’s security strategy comes under its highest pressure. The strait is 500 miles (800 km) long and is funnel-shaped, with a width of only 40 miles (65 km) in the south that broadens northward to some 155 miles (250 km) between We Island off Sumatra and the Isthmus of Kra on the mainland. Places such as the Panama and Suez Canals have always been in the Western media. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. Appreciating the strategic importance of the Straits of Malacca, China’s energy dependence and the complex nature of the situation is no doubt important fodder for students of International Security. the shortest sea route between suppliers in Africa and the Persian Gulf and markets in Asia, thus making it one of the main geographical hubs of black gold in the world. It is entirely possible that India would not be comfortable with a major Chinese capability located in the area to protect its trade route. The connection of these countries has had a major impact on their shipping companies. It is the shortest shipping channel between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, linking major economies such as … Ring in the new year with a Britannica Membership, This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/place/Strait-of-Malacca, The Maritime Heritage Project - Malacca Strait, Strait of Malacca - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). An estimated 25% of the world’s trade passes through this narrow strait, making it important economically, as well as politically. Strait of Malacca and Sunda Strait on Oceania Map. Meaning that any Chinese attempts to alleviate its energy security dilemma will occur in the strategic vicinity of India. The Strait of Malacca, which runs between the Malay Peninsula (Malacca) and Sumatra, is the most convenient maritime route to take between the Indian and Pacific oceans. By: Guillermo Pineda The geographical hotspots of the world are all related to economic trade and global exchange of political interests. Great Britain developed into the dominant power on the Strait of Malacca, with Malacca, Penang (George Town) and Singapore as its most important trading posts. It is important to recognise that for the most part this concern is abstract. bandwidth bills to ensure we keep our existing titles free to view. One of these is the Straits of Malacca, the sea passage connecting the China Sea with the Indian Ocean. The Chinese thinker Zeng Fenggang has postulated that India will seek to develop a capability to guard the straits of Malacca in peacetime and blockade it during wartime. However, let us put this aside for now and look at the security problems of ensuring that these resources continue to flow into China. 3. From time immemorial, it has held tremendous significance for international trade. The Strait of Malacca is so vital to world trade that some economists flirt with calling it the most important strait in the world. The strait is a major shipping connection between the Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean, and it represents a major link between large Asian countries such as South Korea, China, Taiwan, Japan, and India. The Strait of Malacca has strategic importance, too. The Strait of Hormuz is important because it is a geographic chokepoint and a main artery for the transport of oil from the Middle East. They also serve as a channel through which ocean currents pass modifying the climate of that area. The climate of the strait is hot and humid and is characterized by the northeast monsoon during the (northern) winter and the southwest monsoon during the summer. Your donations allow us to invest in new open access titles and pay our However, in the case of China, this dependence is far more pronounced. Essentially, whoever controls the Straits of Malacca has the ability to heavily disrupt a vital energy corridor to China. 3.3. The economic advantage that the straight provides for supply chains running through it means that the strait is wildly popular – too popular. Iran and Oman are the countries nearest to the Strait of Hormuz and share territorial rights over the waters. While this sort of conflict only exists as an abstract, it is a point of concern for any Chinese thinkers attempting to develop security. Roughly a quarter of all oil transported by sea (more than 15 million barrels per day) passes through the straits and several countries in North East Asia, including China and Japan, rely heavily on the oil imports that pass through the straits. While the Silk Route was, in the past, the glue connecting land route between Asia and Europe, the Strait […] Furthermore, a large portion of the world’s shipping routes use the Strait of Malacca. Location: Indonesia –Malaysia. If the Bab el-Mandeb Strait were closed, it could keep tankers in the Persian … Omissions? It would take a large international incident for a major power to consider blocking this energy transit line to China. The other route around the Malacca Strait is the Northern Sea Route, up and around Russia. 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