China Reopens Oil Spigot to Rescue Thirsty Asia as Iran Conflict Rages (xataka.com)

• China authorizes 500,000 tonnes of fuel exports to Asian neighbors, including Vietnam and Laos.
• China's strategic oil reserves (1.4B barrels) and defiance of US sanctions enable its energy diplomacy.
• The Strait of Hormuz crisis elevates China's geopolitical leverage over the US.

"After initially halting fuel exports when the Third Gulf War closed the Strait of Hormuz, China has now greenlit 500,000 tonnes of gasoline, diesel, and kerosene exports to neighboring Asian countries. Leveraging massive strategic reserves of nearly 1.4 billion barrels, Beijing is positioning itself as the region's energy savior. The move defies US sanctions on Chinese refineries, activates China's 'Blocking Rules' to reject extraterritorial sanctions, and strengthens Xi's hand ahead of a summit with Trump. The crisis underscores energy as a geopolitical weapon."