US and China urged to cooperate on maritime trade route security

An editorial in the South China Morning Post emphasizes the necessity for cooperation between the United States and China to maintain the safety and reliability of vital maritime trade routes, using the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz as a reference point. It points out that while a strait may be deemed 'open' legally, vessels can still encounter military threats, increased insurance costs, risks from sanctions, forced rerouting, or arbitrary passage conditions. The central concern is whether ships can navigate safely, predictably, and affordably. The article notes China's significant dependence on maritime routes for trade and energy, particularly through the Strait of Malacca and the Strait of Hormuz, and its commitment to 'ensuring unimpeded passage serves the common interest of the international community.' Furthermore, the US, despite differing trade and energy patterns, incurs economic losses from disruptions and must invest more in safeguarding global maritime security. The piece concludes that both nations lose when waterways are exploited for political or economic leverage.