This paper shows how China's increasing dependency on externally sourced energy supplies will lead; firstly, to the rightful expansion and strengthening of China's Peoples' Liberation Army Navy (PLAN); and, secondly, possible tensions with the United States - who have long viewed global naval control as their prerogative. Energy diversification and independence, and the ability to keep China progressively engaged in a more equitable multilateral order, are then cited as key solutions that will ease such tensions.

Download the Paper