Financial Times: “US v China: is this the new cold war?”

Fifteenth-century Venetians used to warn, Whoever is the Lord of Malacca has his hand on the throat of Venice. Hu Jintao echoed these sentiments when he warned in a 2003 speech that “certain major powers” are bent on controlling this crucial sea lane. Until now, China’s maritime security has been guaranteed largely by the US Navy. But, like aspiring great powers before it, China has been forced to confront a central geopolitical dilemma: can it rely on a rival to protect the country’s economic lifeline? Geoff Dyer

Lately is looks like the new cold war is US vs. Russia, all over again…

Nevertheless, China’s role will be much more important this time around, so it pays to watch their strategy closely. Increased tensions between Russia and the West may well facilitate China’s ambitions to take control over the Pacific, while the US is threatened on multiple fronts. On the other hand, China has strong economic ties with both parties, with Russia as energy supplier for the growing Chinese manufactory and America its main marketplace. If it wants the economy to keep growing, China must find a way to balance these two relationships – it would probably be best to play neutral for now, let the two have their skirmishes, while China continues to grow in influence and strength.