Keep the Fire Stoked

China’s energy security strategy is a pragmatic, multi-layered framework designed to navigate geopolitical volatility and climate goals. Confronted by a structural reliance on imported oil and gas, it builds resilience through a hybrid system rather than an abrupt transition. This model operates on three concurrent levels: strategically managing fossil fuels like coal for grid stability, aggressively constructing a “new energy system” led by renewables, and hedging international exposure via diversified imports and equity projects abroad. This dual-track pursuit of security and transition creates inherent tensions, such as integrating variable renewables and managing complex global relations. Ultimately, China’s approach is a calculated exercise in maintaining strategic autonomy through technological advancement and managed interdependence.