Throughout history, wars have been fought over trade. Asia is a region that recognises this more than most -- as far back as the 15th century, the East Indies clashed with several European nations over control of the spice trade and in the 19th century the opium wars were the climax of trade disputes between China and the British. In the 21st century little has changed. Trade is still a hotly-contested area between nation states, although it is now economic power, not military might, that is decisive in defining the winners and losers.
Certainly, the global financial crisis has created a seismic shift in relative economic power from west to east and it can now...
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