Searching for Oil China's Initiatives in the Middle East.

MIDDLE East; CHINA

This article discusses the geopolitical realities of China's efforts to enhance energy security. According to the authors, China's oil consumption nearly doubled in the last 5 years with nearly half coming from imported oil. Additionally, nearly half of its imports come from the Middle East. They argue that oil imports will double in the next decade. They discuss China's gradual shift from state controlled oil companies to those more profit oriented. The authors review China's historical investments in Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait , Yemen and Sudan. They suggest that China's interests are served by strategic partnerships which promote stability in the region but that increased competition in global oil markets will create instability.