Energy supplies across Southeast Asian nations are in dire straits, and China has stepped in at a critical moment!
According to Bloomberg, despite China's partial export restrictions implemented as of early March 2026, two oil tankers named "Dingheng 36" and "Auchentoshan" still delivered over 260,000 barrels of diesel to the Philippines over the weekend. Meanwhile, another tanker named "Great Ocean" transported approximately 100,000 barrels of distillate fuel to Vietnam.
This move is seen as a clear signal of support from China to Southeast Asian countries amid escalating regional energy crises.
On March 24, Philippine President Marcos publicly confirmed China’s assistance in fertilizer supply during an interview with Bloomberg, stating, “China did not seek any profit from this in any way; on the contrary, they provided substantial help.”
The sharp escalation of conflict in the Middle East by late February 2026 dealt a severe blow to Southeast Asian nations heavily reliant on Middle Eastern oil imports—effectively cutting off their energy lifeline. Ninety-five percent of the Philippines’ oil imports pass through this strait, and after the conflict erupted, domestic fuel prices surged more than double within weeks.
Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and other countries quickly faced severe fuel shortages: long lines formed at gas stations, and some areas experienced complete supply disruptions. The Philippine Department of Energy estimated that the country’s fuel reserves could last only about 45 days at one point, with aviation fuel stocks dropping to just 38 days. Over 400 gas stations were forced to close due to fuel shortages, and the transportation sector collapsed under soaring costs.
On March 24, President Marcos was compelled to sign an executive order declaring a one-year national energy emergency across the country.
Amid widespread self-isolation among nations and global energy market chaos, China’s aid proved especially crucial. This assistance is not merely short-term “blood transfusion,” but rather encompasses both immediate emergency relief and long-term capacity building.
China urgently delivered hundreds of thousands of barrels of diesel and fuel to the Philippines and Vietnam. For the Philippines, whose fuel reserves were nearly exhausted, this was akin to sending help in a blizzard—directly alleviating immense pressure on transportation, power, and logistics systems, preventing broader economic paralysis.
On March 19, China explicitly stated its willingness to strengthen coordination with Southeast Asian nations to jointly address energy security. The cooperation focus is on renewable energy sectors. With mature technologies and extensive experience in solar power, wind energy, and energy storage batteries, China can assist Southeast Asian countries in integrating scattered hydropower, photovoltaics, and biomass energy into resilient regional microgrids—fundamentally reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1861074149516300/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.