The Malacca Dilemma in 2026: Lessons from the Strait of Hormuz

The Malacca Dilemma in 2026: Lessons from the Strait of Hormuz

For the Indo-Pacific, the Hormuz crisis has renewed attention on China's long-standing "Malacca Dilemma": Beijing's dependence on the Strait of Malacca as the primary maritime route for energy imports and global trade. While China has invested heavily in alternative energy routes, strategic reserves and naval capabilities, the country remains exposed to disruption of a maritime corridor through which a significant proportion of its energy supply and commercial trade flows.