BEIJING ¨C As energy stress spreads across Southeast Asia, governments across the region are asking China to deliver on its pledges of closer energy security cooperation by freeing up now-banned exports of fertilizer and fuel.
But so far China has offered only vague statements and has yet to even publicly acknowledge reported export bans as it focuses on insulating its own economy from the war in Iran.
Analysts don¡¯t expect that to change, pointing to the tension between China¡¯s stated ambition to be a bigger player in regional affairs and the realpolitik of its commitment to keep its own economy outpacing global growth.
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