CHINA PERSPECTIVE

The South China Morning Post covers the crisis from three distinct angles. First, Pakistan: the SCMP reports the 30 days of free transport after the 40% fuel hike, noting the PM reduced the price within 24 hours -- a sign of 'political pressure and confusion in officialdom.' Second, diplomatic: South Korea and France prefer diplomacy over force for Hormuz, a framing that serves China's anti-intervention position. Third, the most strategic: Malaysia is 'urged to take more aggressive action' against the energy crisis. Beijing watches the Asian chaos with the detachment of a power that has strategic reserves and alternative suppliers. China imports Russian oil in massive quantities and negotiated with Qatar over Hormuz risks. Every Asian country that suffers is a country that could turn to Beijing for energy solutions. The crisis is a dependence accelerator -- and China knows it.