War in Iran Gives Beijing New Influence Over Energy-Hungry Neighbors

Unlike its neighbors, China entered the crisis from a position of relative strength. As the world’s largest importer of crude oil, it has built massive strategic reserves over decades. It has also heavily invested in reducing its dependence on foreign oil and has poured hundreds of billions of dollars into clean energy, including solar, wind, and electric vehicles.When the war began, China initially banned oil-product exports, which worsened shortages of jet fuel, gasoline, and diesel in parts of Asia. However, it has since selectively eased restrictions for certain countries, turning the crisis into an opportunity for diplomacy.