Abstract
Runaway growth in energy consumption poses a real threat to China’s energy security. The era of Chinese energy independence is gone, along with the ideology of self-reliance as a viable guide for energy policymaking. In particular, China’s thirst for oil forces Beijing to aggressively pursue international sources of supply, driving up international oil prices. High oil prices not only directly affect the Chinese economy but also increase international tensions. China is paying a growing price for being the central party in a vicious cycle that has the potential to cause turbulence in the international order.
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