How does the Strait of Malacca connect the South China Sea with the Indian Ocean?

The Strait of Malacca serves as a vital maritime link by acting as the shortest sea route between the Indian Ocean—via the Andaman Sea—and the South China Sea (Pacific Ocean).1

Spanning approximately 500 miles (800 km) in length, the strait is a funnel-shaped waterway positioned between the Indonesian island of Sumatra to the west and peninsular Malaysia and southern Thailand to the east. Because it provides the most direct passage for trade between India and China, it is recognized as one of the most heavily traveled shipping channels in the world, facilitating the movement of goods and energy resources, such as oil, between the Middle East and East Asia. The major port of Singapore is strategically located at the southern entrance of this passage.1