China’s Middle East billions still woefully reliant on US gunboats - Asia Times

China's significant financial investments in the Middle East remain heavily dependent on the security provided by US naval forces, according to an analysis in Asia Times. This situation highlights a paradox where China's economic expansion in the region benefits from a military presence it often criticizes. The reliance on "US gunboats" for safeguarding trade routes and energy supplies underscores the enduring strategic importance of the United States in global security. This dynamic suggests that despite China's growing influence, its economic interests in the Middle East are still underwritten by American military power.