International cooperation and China's energy security concerns

Abstract

China’s dramatic economic growth has made energy into a security issue. As China grows, so do its energy needs. Though China’s per capita energy usage ranks low globally, its enormous population makes it the second highest energy consumer with signs indicating that it will surpass the United States, the highest energy consumer, in the near future. China’s increased consumption has made China more active in securing energy. Its increased dependence on foreign energy imports is already driving up global prices and is raising fears of conflict as China’s search for energy converges with the interests of its neighbors and the United States. This thesis argues that while China’s energy security policy has stimulated concerns in developed oil dependent countries, it would not necessarily lead to conflict but would instigate increased aid and exchange of information over renewable energy technology as it is the most attractive alternative to current conventional fuel. The thesis explores the Chinese government’s involvement in various renewable energy cooperative efforts to assess the commitment to renewable energy on the part of China. Though renewable energy consists of a very small sector of energy consumption, and will continue to be so in the near future, renewable energy is better for energy security in the long run as it is available domestically. The current cooperation over renewable energy is not enough to make China more secure over its energy security nor is it enough to change the current situation in which China travels the globe to increase its energy supply but China’s participation in the various projects demonstrates its willingness to invest in renewable energy in the long term.