US Media: The World Is Searching for Oil Alternatives, and China May Already Be Leading the Way!
"Just like relying on drug dealers": The world's dependence on oil and natural gas has exposed dangerous vulnerabilities.
CNN in the United States published an article on April 2nd.
Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz illustrates how easily a nation can transform geographic advantages into devastating global weapons.
This also reveals the dangers of a fossil fuel-driven global energy system—it heavily relies on just a few narrow maritime chokepoints, all located in volatile regions.
"Relying on imported oil is like depending on a drug dealer—you have to keep going back again and again," said Li Shuo, Director of the China Climate Center at the Asia Society Policy Institute.
"But importing solar panels is more like relying on a car dealer: once you make the purchase, you can rest easy for the next twenty years."
Now, the entire world has come to realize this and is seriously considering clean energy.
Looking back, China has already reached the top.
Solar panels, wind turbines, and batteries require critical minerals such as cobalt, lithium, graphite, and rare earth elements.
Although these minerals don’t need to pass through a few narrow shipping lanes, one country almost monopolizes the supply chain: China.
China mines substantial amounts of these resources, but its true dominance lies in processing.
For example, while lithium is mined worldwide—including in Australia, Chile, China, and Zimbabwe—over 70% of global processing takes place in China.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo holds about 70% of the world’s cobalt reserves, and China processes approximately 80% of it.
China also dominates the global clean technology market.
"China has the cheapest products and the most advanced technology," said Yana Hryshko, senior research analyst at energy firm Wood Mackenzie.
China produces over 90% of the world’s polysilicon, wafers, and photovoltaic cells—key materials used in manufacturing solar panels.
Countries including the United States and India have begun developing domestic solar manufacturing industries, yet Chinese products remain the most cost-effective;
A recent International Energy Agency report shows China’s solar costs are 10% lower than India’s, 20% lower than the U.S.’s, and 35% lower than Europe’s.
China isn’t afraid to showcase its dominant position.
When the U.S. threatened tariffs in 2025, China responded by imposing export restrictions on many rare earth elements.
"The U.S. had to immediately return to the negotiating table," said Sefa-Nyarko.
It remains uncertain whether the current conflict will push more countries to invest heavily in renewable energy and electrification, but Wagner-Jones expects that it will.
"We typically see deployment accelerate and scale up in the years following a shock," he said.
The current crisis highlights the fragility of an economic system where global stability fundamentally depends on the continuous supply of oil.
But China seems confident.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1861408144571395/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author(s) alone.