Why China Weathered Asia's Oil Crisis Better Than Japan and South Korea

A three-month Strait of Hormuz closure in March 2026 revealed how infrastructure choices determine energy resilience. China's strategic reserves, long-term Gulf contracts, and pipelines from Russia and Central Asia cushioned the blow. Japan and South Korea, reliant on seaborne shipments with few alternatives, faced quarterly recovery even after U.S.-Iran negotiations ended. Vulnerability maps onto preparation, not exposure.