Why China Is Resistant to the Global Energy Crisis

Main illustration: Energy mix broken down by Chinese state for 2050, source: planet Energy

The fresh turmoil in the mediate East and the drastic emergence in oil prices have exposed the weaknesses of many Asian economies. Text “China raises fuel prices in evidence hike, activates Emergency curbs” published in the pages “Nikkei Asia” suggests that China is besides under force from rising fuel prices, quoting anonymous statements from dissatisfied citizens. However, an in-depth analysis of data from independent Chinese, nipponese and Korean sources shows a completely different image of the situation. China, unlike its neighbours, has built a solid energy safety buffer that makes them much more resistant to global price shocks.

It is worth to look critically at the thesis placed in Western and nipponese media. The arguments about alleged problems with charging electrical cars in China or excessive vulnerability to mediate east oil are not confirmed in the facts. Why is the mediate State the best prepared country in the region for the energy crisis?

The Real Face of Chinese Energy Mix

The key to knowing Chinese resilience is their diversified energy mix and advanced level of self-sufficiency. Unlike Japan and South Korea, which are heavy dependent on energy imports, China is basing its economy on national resources.

According to data, China's energy self-sufficiency rate remains around 85%. Coal is the foundation of this security. In 2025, home coal mining in China reached evidence levels of 4.83 billion tonnes. Coal is inactive liable for about 51-53% of full home energy consumption. Although this is simply a challenge from an environmental perspective, from a national safety point of view coal is simply a unchangeable basis, independent of fluctuations in global natural materials markets and blockades of maritime routes.

At the same time, China is developing renewable energy sources (RES) at an unprecedented rate. In 2025, renewable and atomic energy exceeded 20% in the overall energy mix, energy production from low-carbon sources alone is systematically increasing. This two-track strategy – a unchangeable coal base supported by powerful investments in RES – protects China from the effects of the turmoil in the mediate East.

Oil dependence: China and Japan and South Korea

To full appreciate China's position, it should be compared with the situation of another east Asian economical powers. The mediate East conflict and the threat of the blockade of the Ormuz Strait pose an existential threat to Japan and South Korea.

Japan imports around 95% of oil from the mediate East, while South Korea relies on this region in 70%. Any interruption of supply chains would mean an immediate economical crisis for these countries. Experts at the Nomura investigation Institute inform that rising oil prices can push Japan into recession, and South Korea is forecasting a decline in GDP.

China is besides the world's largest oil importer, bringing a evidence of 11.55 million barrels a day in 2025. However, their hazard vulnerability is much lower. Firstly, oil accounts for little than 20% of full energy consumption in China. Secondly, Beijing has consistently diversified supply sources for years. Although around 55% of imported oil comes from the mediate East, Russia was the largest single supplier in 2025, accounting for 17.4% of imports. Land pipelines from Russia and Central Asia bypass delicate sea routes.

In addition, China has accumulated powerful strategical oil reserves (SPRs). It is estimated that in 2025, utilizing lower prices, China importantly increased its stocks, which could suffice according to various estimates for 3 to 6 months without any imports, giving the Beijing government a powerful buffer in the event of abrupt supply shocks.

Myth of Electrical car Problems

An article in “Nikkei Asia” quotes an anonymous Beijing resident who claims he will not buy an electrical car (EV) due to deficiency of chargers and long charging times. This argument is completely separate from the current technological and marketplace reality in China.

In fact, the charging infrastructure in China is developing at an unprecedented rate anywhere else in the world. According to data from early 2026, the full number of EV charging points in China exceeded 21 million, of which more than 4.8 million are public stations. (At the end of December 2025 There were 11,762 public charging points in Poland.)

Moreover, the problem of long charging time goes to the lamest thanks to ultra-fast charging technology. In Beijing and another major cities, “flash charging” stations are being mass-created. Companies like BYD implement 1.5 MW stations that let battery charging from 10% to 70% in just 5 minutes. By the end of 2026, China is expected to operate 20,000 specified ultrafast stations. The message quoted by “Nikkei Asia” so sounds like an anecdote from a decade ago, alternatively than a reliable description of the current situation.

Transportation electrification as a protective shield

The dynamic improvement of the fresh Energy Vehicles (NEV) vehicle marketplace is another pillar of Chinese resilience. In 2025, NEV vehicles accounted for almost 48% of the full sales of fresh cars in China. The marketplace penetration rate in any months was up to 50%. By comparison, in Japan electrical cars accounted for only 1.6% of sales of fresh cars in 2025.

The massive shift to electricity straight reduces the request for petrol and makes millions of Chinese consumers independent of fluctuations in oil prices.

The availability and prices of electrical cars in China are unrivalled on a global scale. Unlike Western markets, where EV are frequently positioned as premium cars, in China they are available for all pocket.

The following table presents examples of the prices of popular EV models in China in 2025/2026 (average exchange rate of 1 RMB = PLN 0.54 is accepted):

As you can see, a new, full-fledged electrical car for urban driving (BYD Seagull) can already be purchased for about PLN 30 thousand. specified prices make the transformation of transport in China a massive and irreversible phenomenon.

So...

Attempts to make narratives in which China is as severely affected by the energy crisis as another Asian countries are missing the truth. With consistent state policy, China has built a unique energy safety system. It is based on powerful national coal extraction, unprecedented improvement of renewable energy sources, diversification of oil supply and gigantic strategical reserves.

This strategy is complemented by a revolution in transport. The mass production of inexpensive electrical cars and the construction of the world's densest network of ultra-fast charging stations make China systematically independent of oil. In the face of global turmoil, it is the mediate State that appears to be the best-prepared economy for the energy shocks of the future.

Source:

• Nikkei Asia “China raises fuel prices in evidence hike, activates Emergency curbs”, March 2026.
• Reuters, “Japan’s mediate East energy deposition – and how it mythates shocks”, March 2026.
• The Straits Times, “Reliance on Gulf oil exposures South Korea and Japan to looming energy crisis”, March 2026.
• The Korea Times, “Middle East conflict raises alarm on Korea’s oil dependency”, March 2026.
• NHK World, “EVs account for 1.6% of Japan’s car sales in 2025”, January 2026.
• China Daily, “Ultra-fast charging keepps motorists on the move”, February 2026.
• Doing Business in Bentonville, “China Leads Global EV Race with Five-Minute Ultra-Fast Charge”, March 2026.
• Electrek, “BYD’s low-cost Seagull EV now starts at under $8,000 in China”, April 2025.
• Car News China, marketplace data on BYD, Xpeng, Nio (2025-2026).
• Official government statistic of the PRC on coal extraction and charging infrastructure (2025-2026).

Leszek B. Glass

Email: [email protected]

© www.chiny24.com