China’s rapid pace of growth and the increasing wealth of its citizens has led to growing demand for raw materials and for oil in particular. In 1993 the country became an importer of oil, and since then imports have risen steeply. Today, China imports 40 percent of its oil supplies and its dependence on oil (and gas) imports will continue to grow. In response to this, the Beijing leadership has launched an all-out program of domestic reform as well as a global import-security strategy. China’s economic growth, which is crucial for its internal (and thus regime) stability depends on secure (and affordable) energy supplies. With energy security now a top priority, Beijing has launched a global drive to secure the country’s fuel supplies. The vulnerability of the sea routes from the Middle East and Africa is a major concern, and the fact that only the United States is able to control them makes it even more so.

China is responding by pursuing a global energy policy based on a strongly neo-mercantilist approach aimed at acquiring direct control over foreign oil and gas fields by Chinese companies and through the conclusion of pipeline agreements with neighboring countries and by diplomatic means. The results of China’s energy and resources diplomacy are being observed with growing unease, especially in Asia, but also in other parts of the world. China’s impact on the world oil market is growing, as is, generally, its geopolitical impact. Competition for energy is exacerbating existing rivalries between China and a number if its neighbors.

China’s reliance on foreign oil imported from unstable regions over huge distances via sea-lanes that are difficult to control is having a notable impact on the country’s military planning. China’s new energy diplomacy also has an impact on the »international order«, because the country has concluded energy alliances with, and in many cases invested heavily in, a whole series of international pariah states.