Facing geopolitical tensions highlighted by the Strait of Hormuz crisis, China is intensifying efforts to secure critical sea lanes. Beijing has commissioned research to protect strategic trade corridors and overseas assets.

China is stepping up efforts to secure critical sea lanes and protect its overseas assets, as crises at maritime chokepoints – including the Strait of Hormuz – expose growing vulnerabilities in global trade. In response, Beijing has tasked leading industrial enterprises and academic institutions with spearheading research to safeguard strategic trade corridors and overseas port holdings, amid escalating geopolitical tensions linked to the US-Israeli war in Iran and legal disputes over Panama...