Most Americans have never heard of Vanuatu. That is exactly what Beijing is counting on. This tiny Pacific island nation, 1,100 miles east of Australia, just blocked China military expansion with a landmark agreement. China immediately complained. That reaction tells you everything about who this deal was really aimed at.
Japan imports 95% of its oil from the Middle East. South Korea imports 68%. Together they pump 3.3 million barrels per day through the Strait of Hormuz. For Tokyo and Seoul, a Hormuz closure is more immediately devastating than a Chinese invasion of Taiwan. Here is why Japan South Korea energy security depends on one narrow strait.
The Japan Australia alliance reached a historic milestone in May 2026 as PM Takaichi visited Canberra. From 11 Mogami-class frigates to shared intelligence, Tokyo and Canberra are building the Indo-Pacific's most consequential middle-power partnership — and China is the reason why.
