How to get to China

The recent Defense Department report on China's military power suggests that China's oil lifeline is a little tenuous.  A hostile India, or problems in the Straits of Malacca, would be a big concern.

The legend notes that over 80% of Chinese crude oil imports pass through the Straits of Malacca.  The Defense Department notes:

...For the foreseeable future, China will rely on overseas sources for oil and other strategic resources, meaning China will remain reliant upon maritime transportation to meet its energy demands.

This dependence on overseas resources and energy supplies, especially oil and natural gas, is playing a role in shaping China’s strategy and policy. Such concerns factor heavily in Beijing’s relations with Angola, Central Asia, Indonesia, the Middle East (including Iran), Russia, Sudan, and Venezuela –to pursue long-term supply agreements –as well as its relations with countries that sit astride key geostrategic chokepoints – to secure passage. Beijing’s belief that it requires such special relationships in order to assure its energy access could shape its defense strategy and force planning in the future. Indicators of such a shift would include increased investment in a blue-water capable fleet and, potentially, a more activist military presence abroad.

The next map, showing the shipping lanes from the U.S. West Coast to East Asia, comes from a report prepared by the consultants Nuka Research & Planning Group and Cape International Inc. for Alaska's Department of Environmental Conservation. 

I'm still surprised that the traffic between Portland, Tacoma and Seattle goes to East Asia through the Bering Sea, and that much of the traffic from California passes just south of the Aleutians:

This report may be found at: Vessel Traffic in the Aleutians Subarea (look towards the bottom of the page for the pdf file)

Comments

[Ironman]

"I'm still surprised that the traffic between Portland, Tacoma and Seattle goes to East Asia through the Bering Sea, and that much of the traffic from California passes just south of the Aleutians."

You would need a globe to see that the routes that take ships from the west coast ports in the U.S. to Asia are actually the shortest (great circle) routes!

Hope this helps!