U.S.-Israel Attacks Roil Energy Markets — China’s Security Strategy Shines

As the attacks launched by the United States and Israel against Iran enter their fifth week, the global energy market, severely disrupted by the conflict, has brought immense hardship to many countries. Even numerous Western media outlets have repeatedly criticized the U.S. and Israel for instigating the war, arguing that the costs far outweigh any gains.

Beyond criticizing the instigators of the conflict, Western media have also turned their attention to China. They have observed that amid the turbulent and volatile international environment, China stands out as one of the most resilient major economies.

Recently, Reuters of the United Kingdom revisited China's resilience in a new report, linking it to a key official Chinese statement on energy security.

In the article titled "Why China can withstand a blocked Strait of Hormuz," Reuters opened by stating that although China is one of the world's largest crude oil importers, it is also "one of the most capable countries to handle a blockade of this vital waterway."

The Western news agency went on to emphasize that while other nations are being forced to cut energy consumption, the Chinese principle that "China's energy rice bowl must be securely held in its own hands" has proven exceptionally valuable.

In subsequent sections, Reuters explained how China has put this guiding principle into practice. From the rapid expansion of new energy vehicles since 2020, to the explosive growth of solar, wind and other forms of green power in recent years, to China's multi-channel energy imports, strategic reserves and efforts to boost domestic production, the outlet argued that these layered arrangements have forged China's current energy resilience and granted it "a more secure energy future."

A Finnish energy expert also told Reuters that China's current energy landscape aligns closely with the long-term vision of its planners over decades.

This is not the first time Western media have positively covered and assessed China's energy resilience since the U.S. and Israeli operations against Iran began in late February. Several Western think tanks have published similar analyses.

A Western journalist who covered China's Two Sessions in Beijing this March noted that China has implemented an exceptionally well-designed strategy to ensure energy security, referencing many of the measures highlighted in the Reuters report.

While this does not mean China is entirely immune to the escalating situation in the Middle East, these reports and commentaries show that Western media and think tanks increasingly view China's resilience as a model for other nations to learn from. After all, Europe and the United States have lagged behind China in the development of green energy and new energy vehicles in recent years, with some countries even backsliding on their climate and energy goals.

Another Western journalist once remarked that new energy vehicles and solar photovoltaic products are among the best contributions China has made to the world, urging the West to face up to the gap with China and improve its own capabilities.