ABSTRACT: This article attempts to explore the ecological dimensions of strategic interests by examining China?s Asia-wide quest for key natural resources and safe seaways for their shipment. It takes a close look at three cases ? one in the Indian Ocean region, the South China Sea region, and the Caspian Sea region ? to explain interaction between natural resources and China?s emerging strategic interests in Asia. The article shows that Beijing?s quest for key natural resources underlies its economic and strategic alignments with the respective nations of Indian Ocean, South China Sea and Caspian Sea regions. The article implies that International Relations (IR) Theory and policy makers pay very close attention to the anchorage of strategic interests in the struggles over access and control of critical natural resources.... Keywords • Energy Security • China • South Asia • Caspian • Central Asia • East Asia • International Relations Theory