French Media: Enhanced Energy Security Highlights China's Planning Power

The New York Times, March 14, Article Title: Facing Oil Shocks, China Holds Advantages in Electric Vehicles and Renewable Energy
Subtitle: For decades, China has promoted reducing dependence on foreign oil and heavily invested in clean energy sectors like electric vehicles. Now, these efforts are beginning to show results.

As oil prices soar, countries are scrambling to mitigate the impact of a sudden shortage of Middle Eastern oil, but China has two major advantages over its geopolitical rivals.

For years, China has invested heavily in developing electric vehicles and renewable energy by expanding domestic supplies and accelerating the development of alternative energy sources such as solar, wind, hydro, and nuclear power to reduce reliance on foreign energy. This long-term strategy is starting to pay off, while other countries struggle with market volatility. Mikhail Medan, head of China energy research at the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies, said, “Compared to other countries, China has some buffer space. Disruptions in supply and rising prices have not significantly affected its economic operations.”

There is growing concern that ongoing conflicts could block shipping through the Strait of Hormuz—a narrow waterway that is a vital trade route for global oil and natural gas. About half of China’s imported crude oil comes from the Middle East, but Beijing still has enough room to maneuver without resorting to extreme measures already taken by some Asian countries.

In recent years, China’s shift from fuel-powered cars to electric vehicles has outpaced all other major economies. By 2025, China’s electric vehicle sales will surpass the combined total of other regions, with half of new cars sold being electric or hybrid. In contrast, only about 22% of new cars sold in the US in 2025 will be these two types. A decade ago, China’s leading position in electric vehicles might have seemed unimaginable. But with strong government investment and efforts to build domestic high-tech giants and reduce reliance on foreign technology, the landscape has changed.

For Beijing, the transition to electric vehicles and renewable energy stems from a focus on addressing China’s energy vulnerabilities. Early in this century, China also began paying attention to another narrow waterway that supplies oil to China—the Strait of Malacca—by establishing emergency oil reserves and investing in renewable energy to meet this challenge. Today, among major Asian economies, China is least affected by disruptions in Middle Eastern oil and gas supplies.

A significant portion of China’s energy demand is met by renewable sources like solar, wind, and hydro power. Matthias Larsen, senior policy researcher at the Grantham Research Institute at the London School of Economics, said, “China’s push for renewable energy is driven by energy security needs and also as a driver of economic growth.” After attacks by the US and Israel on Iran, Chinese media reported that the country has built the world’s largest renewable energy system. China also has the world’s largest electric vehicle charging network. (Author: Alexandra Stevenson et al., Translated by: Qiao Heng)

Le Monde Diplomatique, March 13, Article Title: How China Uses Strategic Reserves to Prepare for Oil Crises
Ongoing turmoil in the Middle East has raised global concerns over energy crises, but China’s abundant oil reserves are the result of long-term strategic planning. Erica Downs, a researcher at Columbia University’s Center on Global Energy Policy, said, “Even if oil imports from the Middle East are completely cut off, China’s reserves are enough to cover about six months of supply.”

This is no coincidence. As an economic giant, China’s oil and gas resources are vulnerable to Middle Eastern instability. Downs said, “Over the past 20 years, China has continuously built and replenished its strategic petroleum reserves precisely to prepare for such moments.”

Data from China’s General Administration of Customs shows that in the first two months of 2026, China’s crude oil imports increased by 15.8% year-on-year. Media reports indicate that China had steadily increased its strategic petroleum reserves by 2025.

Cosimo Risi, an analyst at Trivium China, said, “Chinese regulators have long been prepared for potential geopolitical tensions.” Besides oil reserves, this protective measure is part of a broader development strategy—one core element of which is diversifying the energy structure. (Author: Marie Bellot, Translated by: Dong Ming)