China’s crude oil production has apparently peaked and is back to where it was at the beginning of 2010. Fig 1: China’s crude oil production http://www.jodidb.org/ Vietnam has become a net oil importer: Fig 2: Vietnam’s oil production and consumption At the end of 2016 tensions in the South China Sea have been rising again South China Sea: Vietnam prepares for dangerous days ahead as the country’s fisheries clash with Chinese authorities 9/12/2016 “The Chinese Coastguard stopped them near Woody Island. Officials boarded the boat and beat the crew using clubs and electric cattle prods.” http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-12-09/south-china-sea-vietnam-prepares-for-dangerous-days-ahead/8101192 2016 Gleanings Earlier in the year China ramped up defences there. South China Sea: China sends fighter jets to disputed Woody Island in ‘clear militarisation’ of area 24/2/2016 http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-02-24/china-sends-fighter-jets-to-disputed-woody-island/7196786 The media are repeating again and again that the South China Sea is “resource rich”. Let’s check on this and sum up what happened […]