China Sends Fuel to Struggling Southeast Asia Despite Export Ban

Despite a ban on fuel exports from early this month, China has delivered cargoes of diesel and other fuels to Southeast Asia in recent days in a sign that Beijing seeks to alleviate the regional crisis and retain diplomatic leverage. Two weeks after the war in the Middle East began and after it became clear that the Strait of Hormuz wouldn’t be re-opening within days, China banned all fuel exports as crude supply from the Middle East crumbled and forced Asian refiners to turn to alternatives. The restrictions took immediate effect on March…