China’s energy fortress endures the oil shock with a renewables-led strategy

China has pushed a resilience-focused energy strategy under Xi by expanding renewables and electric-vehicle production, widening domestic oil and gas extraction, building pipelines, and stockpiling crude to cut exposure to Middle East disruptions. While only about 15% of its total energy is imported, the country still relies on imports for roughly 70% of its oil and 40% of its natural gas, leaving it more insulated than many peers as oil markets swing due to the Gulf conflict and Hormuz chokepoints. The unfolding shock underscores the contrast with the U.S. fossil-fuel model and underscores Beijing’s belief that its shift to domestically led energy security is paying off, even as fossil fuels remain essential for some sectors.