This Is Not China’s War, but Beijing Started Preparing for It Years Ago
The New York Times • • business
Key Points:
- China was caught off guard by the Middle East energy shock but had long prepared by stockpiling oil and aggressively developing renewable energy sources, reducing its demand for refined oil products.
- The Chinese Communist Party views industrial strength as central to national security and has intensified policies to build local industries and reduce dependence on Western powers since President Trump’s administration.
- China has shifted from being the largest market for internal combustion engine vehicles to leading in electric vehicle adoption, reflecting a strategic move towards cleaner energy and technology.
- The country has reduced reliance on imported petrochemicals by using domestic coal to produce key chemicals like methanol and synthetic ammonia, supported by government planning and investment.
- Energy security remains a critical focus of China’s industrial policy, underpinning its efforts to dominate global resources and supply chains.
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