China and the United States should cooperate to secure global shipping lanes

The crisis in the Strait of Hormuz shows that merely keeping a waterway legally "open" does not guarantee safe navigation when ships confront military risks, attacks, soaring insurance premiums, sanctions and arbitrary passage conditions. For China, the Strait of Malacca is a vital conduit for commerce with the Middle East, Africa and Europe, and Hormuz is essential for its energy imports, prompting Beijing to stress that unobstructed flow serves the international community.

The United States, though its trade patterns differ, also suffers economic damage and must allocate resources to protect global maritime security when such routes are threatened. The article contends that the real question is whether vessels can travel safely, predictably and affordably, a concern shared by both nations. It calls for Sino-American cooperation to prevent waterways from becoming tools of political pressure or economic coercion. By working together, the two powers could help maintain stable, cost-effective shipping lanes worldwide.