China’s Diversified Energy Strategy

China, the world’s biggest consumer of energy, “faces challenges in the area of energy security” due to its contentious political relationships and dependence on supply routes. In this opinion piece for Al Jazeera, S. Kumar describes diversified energy strategy that China is employing with both foreign governments and companies. For example, China is “actively trying to attract investments from the Gulf Cooperation Countries” in the four western provinces, “not only to develop these backward areas, but also to bring about bonding between Chinese Hui Muslims and those in the oil-rich countries.” Beijing also is attempting to keep Hui Muslims detached from the separatist movement of Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang. Although Xinjiang produces 14.4 percent of China’s oil output, Beijing plans on dealing with the province separately due to political considerations. To preempt diplomatic challenges over policy in Xinjiang, China is targeting companies to develop energy infrastructure in the region rather than foreign government–sponsored investment. – YaleGlobal