China's Contemporary Energy Security Strategy in West Asia

Given the fragile political-security situation in West Asia, China which currently supplies about half of its oil and about 10 percent of its gas imports from this region, is concerned about the possible challenges deriving from its energy security prospects. The US presence throughout the region, Chinese weak control over international energy corridors, conflicts and tensions between the regional countries, Iran and United States, and of course the political orientation of West Asian countries should be added to the complexity of China's energy security dilemma towards this region. In this regard, China has gradually clarified the outlines of its strategy for ensuring energy security towards West Asia. At the heart of this article is the question, "What outlines the extent of China's contemporary energy security strategy towards West Asia?" Using a descriptive-analytical method and Focusing on the three concepts of "access security", "transportation security" and "energy transition process", the present study finds that the contemporary Chinese energy security strategy towards West Asia is based on a number of principles such as striving for diversification of its import, strengthening energy interdependence, pursuing a balanced and prudent policy regarding the ongoing regional and extra-regional rivalries, establishing safe corridors for energy transportation, keeping a direct military presence in sensitive areas and finally pursuing regional cooperation regarding energy transportation across West Asia.