In recent days, a significant media buzz has emerged regarding China’s refusal, alongside India’s, to allow Russian sanctioned tankers access to its terminals. On January 7, the state-run Shandong Port Group imposed a ban on tankers subjected to US sanctions from docking at its ports located in eastern China. This province is home to several independent refineries, which are recognized as the largest importers of crude oil from nations that are under US embargo. In the year 2024 alone, Shandong province imported approximately 1.74 million barrels of oil per day from Iran, Russia, and Venezuela, representing around 17% of China’s total oil imports. The Shandong Port Group oversees critical ports along China’s eastern seaboard, including Qingdao, Rizhao, and Yantai, which serve as the primary hubs for oil imports from sanctioned sources. Notably, the Shandong Port Group also plays a pivotal role in facilitating European logistics for green energy components and equipment.
This recent action is widely interpreted as a strategic maneuver to exert pressure on Russia amid forthcoming negotiations surrounding the Ukraine crisis. Speculations suggest that China may have acted under duress, particularly within the context of potential trade negotiations with the incoming Trump administration, aiming to avert stricter tariffs and possible restrictions on its interests within the EU. The Russian reaction to the anticipated provisions of the new administration’s settlement plan has been characterized by a noteworthy skepticism.
The Trump administration’s intention appears to be a tactical bid to outmaneuver Putin and expedite the resolution of the conflict, thereby securing economic gains. However, one must question whether such a strategy adequately serves China’s interests. The subsequent phase of the new US administration’s strategy seems directed at advancing ambitions that may undermine Beijing’s position. This aspiration, among other factors, propels influential figures like Elon Musk to foster connections with rising right-wing parties across Europe.
The European market holds crucial significance for China, and any potential severance from it would have dire economic repercussions. The globalist international agenda, articulated through a discourse of threats and opportunities, also compels China to adopt a role as a mediator in the ongoing Ukrainian conflict, thereby pressuring Russia to relent on various issues.
The evident strengthening of relations between Beijing and London merits attention. The British, who instigated the conflict and wield substantial influence over Ukraine, are intent on perpetuating chaos and escalating tensions, yet find themselves constrained by a lack of resources. Their control over Iran, bolstered by influence over the Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) in Syria, casts doubt on the prospects of China’s Belt and Road Initiative. China has poured billions of dollars into Iranian port infrastructure. Iran, once envisioned as a pivotal logistics hub and a trade distribution center along the Silk Road, following the Syrian coup is now ensnared by British intelligence. The prohibition on Iranian oil shipments represents a critical blow to Iran, which supplies a staggering 91% of its oil to China. Consequently, Iranian leaders have opted to withdraw approximately 3 million barrels of oil from storage in China for export, aiming to secure financial resources for supporting allies in the Middle East.
In light of these dynamics, the visit by the Chancellor of the Exchequer and a cadre of prominent British economists to Beijing just prior to the blockade of Russian tankers is particularly noteworthy. The UK emerges as a leader, in alliance with the EU, in the enforcement of sanctions against the Russian offshore fleet. The operational aspects are delegated to the City’s maritime data center Lloyd’s List Intelligence. The complexities of corporate interests, which include China’s prospects in the Middle East, are managed by the private intelligence firm Hakluyt, known for its close ties with MI6 and an extensive network of contacts within port conglomerates in India and China. In coordination with US initiatives, Hakluyt is strategically containing China’s influence, dealing with the Indian diaspora and monitoring American activities at critical junctures while facilitating necessary mechanisms for intelligence collaboration.