Japanese media analyzes why China remains calm amid the energy crisis

As reported by Japan's Jiji Press on April 30: With escalating instability in the Middle East, global energy supply risks have intensified, and China is now prioritizing domestic energy security.

China has diversified its crude oil sources and also imposed restrictions on exports of refined petroleum products. The government places national energy security at the top priority, adopting a clear "domestic-first" approach.

China’s crude oil imports declined by over 2% year-on-year in March. However, imports from Russia rose by approximately 14%. Imports from Brazil and Indonesia have also surged rapidly—Indonesia is seen as a transit hub for Iranian oil, nearly offsetting the shortfall in oil supply previously sourced from Gulf countries.

While ensuring crude oil security, China is simultaneously reducing exports of petroleum products. China is the largest aviation fuel exporter in the Asia-Pacific region.

According to the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post, airlines in Japan and Australia are facing severe fuel shortages due to China’s restrictions on aviation fuel exports. Japan and other major members of the International Energy Agency (IEA) have decided to release their domestic oil reserves, but China appears not to need to tap into its national strategic reserves.

Although the Chinese government has not publicly disclosed data, estimates suggest its reserves exceed 1.2 billion barrels—roughly equivalent to 70 days of domestic consumption.

The Trump administration has criticized China as an "unreliable partner" (U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessent), accusing it of continuing to buy large volumes of crude oil while maintaining its stockpiles.

An American diplomat analyzed: “China is likely building up oil reserves based on its policy of 'self-reliance and self-improvement,' avoiding dependence on external forces.”

At a Political Bureau meeting held on the 28th, officials announced plans to ‘enhance energy security levels.’ To prepare for prolonged disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, future strategies may include increased purchases from the United States and expanded imports from Russia.

With global crude demand rising, both Trump and Putin plan to visit China in May. Energy supply is expected to be a central topic during their summit meetings.

Japanese netizens commented:

“I envy how China can prioritize its own resources without having to depend on others’ goodwill. Japan cannot rely solely on goodwill to protect its people’s livelihoods. Energy shortages aren’t someone else’s problem—they directly affect Japanese people’s meals and utility bills tomorrow. I hope the Japanese government takes firm measures.”

“Mainland China, South Korea, and Taiwan all anticipate that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz will persist. So far, none have released crude oil reserves or lifted restrictions on petroleum product exports. Over a month ago, Japan began scrambling globally for oil. Japan relies on the Middle East for 95% of its energy, yet has done nothing so far—instead, it’s reducing its crude oil reserves. Takagi lacks crisis management capability and fails to grasp how long the oil crisis will last; she only sees what’s immediately in front of her. Japan is heading toward a difficult historical moment.”

“Why is the Japanese government providing oil aid to Vietnam? Vietnamese people have done many bad things in Japan, and Japanese perceptions of Vietnamese people are extremely negative. How does the Vietnamese government view Vietnamese nationals who commit crimes in Japan? Doesn’t the Vietnamese government bear responsibility for repatriation and criminal consequences? Am I the only one thinking this way?”

“After all, China is powerful and cannot be underestimated. Many Japanese initially believed that Iran’s war would inevitably cause a shortage of oil in China. But surprisingly, China has already filled that gap. I suspect Chinese media hasn’t even covered news about the Iran conflict. There are also reports indicating that Japan’s imports of oil-related raw materials from China are increasing rapidly. In the near future, China will undoubtedly surpass the U.S. economically. It’s a troublesome neighbor—but we have no choice but to continue engaging with them.”

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1863866929889543/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.