Chinese Foreign Policy and Oil Security

Abstract

China's pursuit of overseas oil resources to meet its repidly rising economic development has given rise to global concern about its intentions and the implications for the world energy market and global energy geopolitics. Yet, while security challenges posed by Chinese energy diplomacy have been well debated, most of the analyses have ignored the fact that China's apparently unscrupulous search for oil resources is factually restrained by the fundamental principles of its strategic presumptions which are based on the necessity to maintain a stable international and regional environment, reduce the negative influence of the "China threat theory", seek to avoid risks and to develop good relations with the United Steates, and insist on sovereign independence. These are the cardinal guidelines for Beijing's external behavior while sustaining its domestic development. According to Chinese strategy, "vigorous" cooperation with related countries will be the best way to ensure its oil security and concurrently penetrated American "soft containment". China's global oil strategies, aimed at gaining more energy resources, also enhance its global influence and prestige.