DRIVERS OF CHINA’S ENERGY SECURITY

This thesis studied China’s energy security policies’ primary drivers and, more specifically, how China acquires the energy needed to satisfy its social and economic needs. This thesis examined three primary drivers of China’s energy security policies: the diversification of resources due to foreign pressures, the development of green energy, and the increase in growth and urbanization. After systematic analysis, this thesis found that China has not achieved energy independence because of an increase in growth and urbanization and heavily relies on imports to meet demands. China primarily relies on coal to fulfill its demand and lacks the domestic capability to meet its oil and natural gas demands. Air pollution and climate change are the primary motivators for China’s green energy policies, prompting China to develop modern technology in the renewable energy sector to reduce air pollution, making it the global leader in the sector. China diversifies its energy security portfolio to avoid geostrategic risks to the energy mix, such as the Malacca dilemma and uncertainty with the Strait of Hormuz. China is dependent on Australia for natural gas and on the Middle East for oil imports. China seeks to secure access to resources via pipelines from Central Asia and Russia to avoid security issues in the Strait of Malacca and the Strait of Hormuz.Lieutenant Junior Grade, United States NavyApproved for public release. distribution is unlimite