China Rising

Oil from Sudan comprises five percent of China’s total oil imports and almost 60 percent of Sudan’s exports. China today is a net importer of oil. It is the number two petroleum user after the U.S. With 1.3 billion people and an economy growing at 8 to 10 percent per year, its appetite for oil will only increase. By 2030, China is expected to have more cars than the U.S. and import as much oil as the U.S. does today.

With 60 percent of its oil imports coming from the Middle East, China has no choice but to become more active in the region. The world oil market can accommodate the needs of both China and the U.S. China’s thirst is an opportunity for the U.S. to create a closer working partnership in the Middle East that can bring about stability in the region.

China’s extensive interests in Africa also represent a potential opportunity for the U.S. to prevent failed states from spiraling into the abyss of despair by jointly promoting social, political and economic development in Africa. It is to the U.S.’s advantage to work with China – using their leverage to build stability and security – not only in the Middle East and Africa -- but globally.

China has sent out 10 teams of peacekeepers to take part in UN operations in Africa and Haiti. China is also the perfect partner to work with the U.S. to bring about peace in the Middle East because it has good relations with Israel and its Arab neighbors. China is not perceived by the Arab nations as being pro-Israel as is the case with America.

The continued improvement of Sino-U.S. relations are not only mutually beneficial – but globally, especially in Africa, the Middle East and Asia, where North Korea is an issue America cannot resolve alone. The fact John Bolton, the U.S. envoy at the UN, was once a paid consultant to the Taiwanese government favors Taiwan’s independence and its full UN membership -- dangerous self-defeating position in light of the cross-straits tensions and America’s efforts to obtain Chinese pressure on North Korea.