Gerlinda (16 Apr 2012)
"Question for Gail - What do you see as the result of Japan moving it's people to..."

 
Dear Gail,  I've always enjoyed your post because they so often deal with geography and how various events affect future shipping,etc.  Here is a post that just arrived in my mail today regarding Japan demanding these former islands back in order to find a place for her 40 million people?  Do you see this as Japan moving out of their former alliance to the West and aligning themselves with the Communist block?  PS  I had to search all the way back to this post in order to reread what you had to say about the shipping line in the Strait of Malaca....I tend to agree with your warning about this vital shorter shipping route.  You always do a fantastic job.  Thanks!  gerlinda
 

Gail (6 Feb 2012)
"I don't like this"
I posted back in Mid-December, about the threat to the Asian Nations. I know that they are not the ones to solve the euro-zone crisis.
Looks like a sure catastrophe is in the making.
Wen says China has stake in helping Europe
February 5, 2012
BEIJING (Reuters) - China has a stake in helping euro zone countries get through their debt crisis, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said in comments published on Sunday, pointing to Europe's importance as a market and hinting at more possible support for beleaguered exporters. Wen said Beijing was considering increasing its participation in rescue funds to address the European debt crisis. China, with its $3.2 trillion worth foreign exchange reserves, is often seen as a potential source for funds needed to bail out some European governments. Wen said China was studying how it might lend Europe further support.
#2 Malacca Chokepoint
#2 Malacca

From an economic and strategic perspective, the Strait of Malacca is one of the most important shipping lanes in the world.

The strait is the main shipping channel between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, linking major Asian economies such as India, China, Japan and South Korea. The maximum size of a vessel that can make passage through the Strait is referred to as Malaccamax. The strait is not deep enough (at 25 metres or 82 feet) to permit some of the largest ships (mostly oil tankers) to use it. A ship that exceeds Malaccamax will typically use the Lombok Strait, Makassar Strait, Sibutu Passage and Mindoro Strait instead.

At Phillips Channel close to the south of Singapore, the Strait of Malacca narrows to 2.8 km (1.5 nautical miles) wide, creating one of the world's most significant traffic choke points.

Mid-Point - March 21st 2013

God Bless,

Gail