Clash with U.S. in Mideast

This is where China's quest for more oil will come directly in

conflict with the concerns of U.S. foreign policy - particularly

in the Middle East.



During the Cold War, China stayed away from the Middle East.

That region's geographic distance and political instability deterred

it from securing ties with its major oil-exporting nations and,

at least until a decade ago, the old China of ox carts and

bicycles did not need to import oil.



But now the Middle East and relations with oil-producing nations

have become key interests in China's foreign policy, perhaps

second only to its obsession with Taiwan.