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Journals / Ahi Evran Üniversitesi İktisadi ve İdari Bilimler Fakültesi Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 10 Sayı: 2

Solving the Malacca Dilemma: Have the Ports of Gwadar and Karachi Finalized China’s Quest for Energy Security?

MALAKKA DÜĞÜMÜNÜN ÇÖZÜMÜ: GWADAR VE KARAÇİ LİMANLARI, ÇİN'İN ENERJİ GÜVENLİĞİ ARAYIŞINI SONUÇLANDIRDI MI?

Hızır Yusuf Erkal(KIRIKKALE ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0003-4409-1429
Pages
1–29
Publication Date
2026-09-24
DOI
—
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

The study concludes that while geographical constraints and prohibitive costs prevent Gwadar from evolving into a primary economic logistics artery capable of superseding Malacca, it serves as an invaluable 'strategic survival insurance'—a viable Plan B designed to sustain the Chinese state in the event of a naval blockade.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:This article provides a multidimensional analysis of the 'Malacca Dilemma'—China’s primary vulnerability in energy procurement—and the strategic countermeasures formulated through the Gwadar Port and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
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Key Findings & Data:In an effort to mitigate its strategic dependence on the Malacca Strait, currently under the aegis of U.S. naval hegemony, Beijing has established the Gwadar-Kashgar axis.
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Conclusion & Impact:The study concludes that while geographical constraints and prohibitive costs prevent Gwadar from evolving into a primary economic logistics artery capable of superseding Malacca, it serves as an invaluable 'strategic survival insurance'—a viable Plan B designed to sustain the Chinese state in the event of a naval blockade.
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Malakka İkilemi · Gwadar Limanı · ÇPEK

Abstract

This article provides a multidimensional analysis of the 'Malacca Dilemma'—China’s primary vulnerability in energy procurement—and the strategic countermeasures formulated through the Gwadar Port and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). In an effort to mitigate its strategic dependence on the Malacca Strait, currently under the aegis of U.S. naval hegemony, Beijing has established the Gwadar-Kashgar axis. However, this vision is increasingly contested by domestic impediments, such as Pakistan’s burgeoning 'debt-trap' cycle and persistent security crises in Balochistan. On a geopolitical scale, these maneuvers have incentivized India’s investment in the Port of Chabahar and accelerated U.S.-led containment strategies, such as the Quad alliance, thereby precipitating a new arms race within the Indo-Pacific. The study concludes that while geographical constraints and prohibitive costs prevent Gwadar from evolving into a primary economic logistics artery capable of superseding Malacca, it serves as an invaluable 'strategic survival insurance'—a viable Plan B designed to sustain the Chinese state in the event of a naval blockade.

Özet

Bu makale, Çin'in enerji tedarikindeki en büyük zafiyeti olan Malakka İkilemini ve bu tehdide karşı stratejik bir çözüm olarak kurgulanan Gwadar Limanı ile Çin-Pakistan Ekonomik Koridoru (ÇPEK) projesini çok boyutlu olarak analiz etmektedir. Pekin yönetimi, ABD donanmasının kontrolündeki Malakka Boğazı'na olan bağımlılığını azaltmak için Gwadar-Kaşgar hattını inşa etmiştir. Ancak bu vizyon; Pakistan'daki "borç tuzağı" sarmalı ve Belucistan'daki güvenlik krizleri gibi engellerle karşılaşmaktadır. Jeopolitik düzlemde ise bu hamle, Hindistan'ı Chabahar Limanı yatırımına itmiş ve ABD'nin Quad ittifakı gibi çevreleme stratejilerini hızlandırarak Hint-Pasifik'te yeni bir silahlanma yarışını tetiklemiştir. Çalışma; Gwadar'ın coğrafi zorluklar ve yüksek maliyetler nedeniyle Malakka'nın yerini alacak ekonomik bir lojistik arter olamayacağını, ancak olası bir deniz ablukasında Çin devletini ayakta tutacak paha biçilemez bir "stratejik beka sigortası" (B Planı) olduğunu ortaya koymaktadır.

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Cite This Article

Erkal, H. Y. (2026). Solving the Malacca Dilemma: Have the Ports of Gwadar and Karachi Finalized China’s Quest for Energy Security?. Ahi Evran Üniversitesi İktisadi ve İdari Bilimler Fakültesi Dergisi, Cilt: 10 Sayı: 2, 1–29. https://ajindex.com/articles/1442084

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