China offers energy security assurances and wins regional cooperation
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · May 7
China offers energy security assurances and wins regional cooperation
14 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 7
After the Iran war, Strait of Hormuz closure and Beijing's oil-product export ban, Vietnam, the Philippines and Australia sought Chinese help over jet fuel and fertilizer supplies.
China said it would address regional energy security concerns, while other governments pledged more diplomatic dialogue with Beijing and, in some cases, future renewable energy cooperation.
The episode highlighted China's stronger position from large crude reserves, lower oil dependence and clean-energy investment, while continued fuel flows helped Asia avoid some worst-case shortage scenarios.
Is China's energy diplomacy a lifeline for crisis-hit Asia or a trap for future dependency?
Will the Hormuz crisis accelerate Asia's green transition or trigger a permanent return to fossil fuels?
Navigating Crisis: China's Fuel Exports, BRI Influence, and Southeast Asia's Energy Diversification in 2026
Overview
The 2026 closure of the Strait of Hormuz triggered a severe energy crisis in Southeast Asia, exposing regional vulnerabilities and prompting China to leverage its decade-built refining overcapacity to provide selective fuel aid, especially to countries with deep Belt and Road Initiative ties like Vietnam. While China’s conditional support helped stabilize some markets, it was limited by domestic energy security concerns, leaving nations like the Philippines more exposed. The crisis accelerated Southeast Asia’s push for renewable energy and diversification, with China driving major clean energy investments and regional grid integration. Meanwhile, Russia expanded its energy exports to fill gaps, and ASEAN countries intensified efforts to reduce reliance on any single supplier, signaling a shift toward a more multipolar energy landscape.