China's Stealthy Oil Grab: A New Era of Strategic Energy Dominance

China's strategic acquisition of oil reserves from Russia and Iran has been a major factor in its emergence as a victor in several conflicts, including the Russia-Ukraine war and the US-Israel versus Iran war. The country has taken advantage of the tight situation faced by war-torn countries due to US and Western sanctions to acquire these reserves at cheap prices.

China's demand for oil flowing through the pipeline it agreed to build with Russia was set at the same price as Russians pay at their gasoline stations. Additionally, China obtained concessions for developing natural resources in Eastern Russia on lease terms similar to ownership.

The US President Donald Trump claimed that he got Chinese President Xi Jinping to agree to keep the Strait of Hormuz open to international waters and toll-free during his visit to Beijing. However, it is now clear that this was a tactical move by China to maintain its own access to Iranian oil at discounted prices.

China's depots are overflowing with cheap oil from Russia and Iran, while the rest of the world struggles with high oil prices or supply disruptions. The country has even offered Taiwan energy security in exchange for its willingness to link up with the mainland, a move that is seen as bullying disguised as a carrot.