Searching for oil

In a world in which the supply of oil is limited by geology and politics, China's determination to fuel its rapidly growing economy is seen by many as a looming source of conflict. It is not simply the geographic breadth of China's initiatives that cause anxiety in western capitals, but also its willingness to enter into economic arrangements with "rogue" states. Unfettered by concerns about human rights and willing to link oil investments with foreign policy goals, critics believe that China has been able to gain an unfair advantage in the competition for both oil and regional influence. They point to China's budding relationship with nations such as Angola, Sudan, and Venezuela.