[giobruno]

The Chinese have a bit more difficult time getting at nearby oil resources than, for example, the US does (MEX, Ven, Nigeria), but they will get it nonetheless. I do not believe a Sino-Soviet alliance is likely, they do not trust each other at all. Russia has to get their oil to market, if it goes to China, it simply means that China can back off a bit in Africa and the Persian Gulf. China having a reliable and close source of oil makes for a less aggressive China and a "incident" less likely.

[lentulusgracchus]

China having a reliable and close source of oil makes for a less aggressive China and a "incident" less likely.

The Chinese need to quit screwing with the Japanese over economic rights in the eastern Yellow Sea and get on the stick exploring and developing the Tarim Basin, which has the potential to put them on Easy Street for a couple of generations.