Economy
From Malacca to Taiwan: China’s chokepoint problem
Asia’s trade flows through a handful of narrow straits. From Malacca to Taiwan, rising geopolitical tensions and security risks are exposing China’s deep dependence on fragile maritime chokepoints, says academic Jasper Verschuur.
Jasper Verschuur
05 May 2026
Economy
Red Sea shipping chaos puts strain on Chinese exports
Academic Jasper Verschuur points out that the trade route disruptions caused by the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait are having a devastating impact on major shipping countries, not least China.
Jasper Verschuur
24 Jan 2024
Economy
China's port dominance puts damper on global supply chain fragmentation
While talk of supply chain fragmentation and "friendshoring" has picked up pace amid heightened US-China tensions, Jasper Verschuur points out that the speed and breadth with which supply chain fragmentation might occur, particularly in Asia, is constrained by the ability of the maritime and port system to adapt. In that respect, China's dominance is hard to weaken.
Jasper Verschuur
03 May 2023