The January 30 takeover by Chinese Overseas Port Holdings of Pakistan's Gwadar Port has reignited debate about the so-called Strait of Malacca dilemma. The port is situated near the strategic Strait of Hormuz and is the nearest warm-water deep-sea port to the landlocked but energy-rich Central Asian republics as well as Afghanistan. Suspicion among China's neighbors that Beijing is seeking to reduce its dependence on the Strait of Malacca - located between the Malay Peninsula and Indonesian island of Sumatra - as a key sea lane used to ship oil and other resources has raised fears an energy security crisis could ensue if a regional conflict breaks out.

Does China really face an energy security dilemma? Is it possible that powers will resort to closing the Strait of Malacca to solve disputes?

Unilateral support to stay open

A team of Global Times reporters recently visited Malaysia to investigate the issue and gather opinions from local people in the hope their views could shed light on the issue.

The Strait of Malacca is one of the world's busiest sea lanes. More than 50,000 cargo ships, almost 60 percent from China, pass through it each year, accounting for a quarter of the total global trade volume.

US-based think tank The Jamestown Foundation said in a 2006 report that "China lacks the naval power necessary to protect its sea lanes of communication," and therefore fears ships carrying energy resources could be interdicted by hostile naval forces during a national security crisis.

"Any disruption to the free flow of energy resources into China could derail the economic growth," it said, referring to China's so-called Strait of Malacca dilemma.

However, Leong Mun Yoon, an expert on international relations at Malaysia's Tunku Abdul Rahman University, told the Global Times that such speculation was "totally unnecessary."

"Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and the other ASEAN members are determined about the Strait of Malacca being open. No one can [close it]; we have this very clear to major powers," he said.

Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia declared their sovereignty over the Strait of Malacca in a joint statement in November 1971. The three nations, all under pressure from strong nationalist sentiment among their populations, currently jointly administer the strait.

Rejecting foreign intervention into Strait of Malacca affairs is the best option for small countries when they are pressured by major powers, Leong said.

"The US once told Malaysia it was prepared to help beef up strait security, and Malaysia asked them to help monitor waters using satellites. Japan also once said it wanted to send ships to help Malaysia uphold strait security, but Kuala Lumpur suggested they provide training ships so the country could strengthen its naval capabilities," Leong noted.

"Once you say yes, then you will have all kinds of problems. The best thing for every country is for it to be open."

Sea lanes safer than ever

Today, piracy in the region has been all but wiped out over the past decade due to naval patrols from Indonesia and Singapore. The most likely scenario of China's "Strait of Malacca dilemma" is related to the strategic intentions of the regional power of the US, said Leong.

USS Freedom (LCS-1), the lead vessel of the Freedom class of Washington's littoral combat ships, is set to dock in Singapore in April as part of a 10-month deployment. The US plans to deploy up to 55 littoral combat ships in the area in the future.

But if the US decides to flex its military muscle and seal off the Strait of Malacca, will Malaysia - a country with fewer than 130, 000 armed forces - be able to offer any significant resistance?

Leong said Kuala Lumpur lacks the ability to stop the US from sealing off the Strait of Malacca, but noted such a move by Washington would be unlikely given the potential fallout.

"It's about [the US'] international reputation and the price it has to pay for such a decision," he said. "The interests of many countries are at stake. No country would like to see the Strait of Malacca sealed off, which never even happened during the Cold War (1947-91). We will make sure it stays open."

Ou Xian'an, a Chinese journalist who works in Malaysian media, told the Global Times it is necessary for China to adopt a cautious approach toward its energy security given the real risks it faces.

Territorial tension

He said the responsibility for security of the Strait of Malacca lies with Malaysia, noting that ASEAN and other countries have an effective dialogue mechanism to prevent regional unrest from taking root.

Observers also note the Strait of Malacca issue is hardly the most pressing concern for countries in the region.

It is natural for people to pay attention to rising China's energy security, but the issue is actually intertwined with South China Sea disputes, Lee Kam Hing, a professor at the University of Malaya, told the Global Times.

Lee noted that some nations in the region, such as Vietnam and Malaysia, are more concerned than others about the security of sea lanes in the South China Sea.

Leong compared China's security concerns regarding the Strait of Malacca to worries among the US and Japan over the "South China Sea dilemma," saying that the latter was rooted in misguided fears sea lanes could be intercepted by China.

"One question facing rising China is how to view the future and better deal with its relations with smaller countries," Leong said. "China can set a new model as a world power."