Resources War

News Background:
1. 中国设三沙市与南海博弈
2. Thirsty South Asia's river rifts threaten "water wars"

由於其巨大的经济潜力，南海成为火药桶的可能性不断在提高。全球十分之一渔获来自这里，全球50%的海运是要从这里经过再转向他们的最终地点，谁掌控了南海，同时也掌控了别人的命脉。 正如美国当年乃至现在的中国一样，一个极欲掌握全球经济的国家，首先就必须掌控越多的资源越好，尤其石油更是如此。自从中国仰赖外国进口的石油来撑托起经济发展之际，中国就被所谓的「马六甲困境」所束缚。 交通与经济的战略要点 因此，除了发展诸如「珍珠链战略」这种避开过度仰赖马六甲海峡做原物料航运唯一管道之外，近在咫尺的海底油源—南海，更是不能轻易放过的来源。

* Future demand for water may spark conflict * Disputes over Himalayan rivers make South Asia a flashpoint * India's hydropower plans in Kashmir upset downstream Pakistan The 330-MW dam is a symbol of India's growing focus on hydropower but also highlights how water is a growing source of tension with downstream Pakistan, which depends on the snow-fed Himalayan rivers for everything from drinking water to agriculture. It's not just South Asia -- water disputes are a global phenomenon, sparked by growing populations, rapid urbanisation, increased irrigation and a rising demand for alternative power such as hydroelectricity. Turkey, Syria, Iran and Iraq quarrel over the waters of the Tigris and Euphrates. The Jordan river divides Israel, Jordan, Lebanon and the West Bank. Ten African countries begrudgingly share the Nile. In Southeast Asia, China and Laos are building dams over the mighty Mekong, raising tensions with downstream nations. That threat is possibly nowhere more apparent than in South Asia, home to a fifth of humanity and rife with historical tensions, mistrust and regional rivalries. The region's three major river systems - the Indus, the Ganges and the Brahmaputra - sustain India and Pakistan's breadbasket states and many of their major cities including New Delhi and Islamabad, as well as Bangladesh.

Sources:
中国设三沙市与南海博弈
http://cnews.cari.com.my/news.php?id=249915

Thirsty South Asia's river rifts threaten "water wars"
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/07/23/water-southasia-idUSL3E8I42PW20120723