From strategic reserves to renewables, Beijing is preparing for prolonged instability Last updated: May 12, 2026 | 12:13 A general view of the crude oil refinery Sinopec Jinling Petrochemical Plant in Nanjing, in China's eastern Jiangsu province on May 8, 2026. AFP What happens when the country that imports the most energy thinks that future energy crises are inevitable rather than exceptional? China’s answer has been clear: prepare for every possible scenario. From record investments in solar and wind energy to expanding nuclear power, importing massive volumes of liquefied natural gas (LNG), building strategic petroleum reserves, and signing long-term oil agreements with Gulf producers, Beijing is constructing one of the most comprehensive energy security strategies in modern history. China is not relying on a single solution. Instead, it is building a layered system designed to protect the country from geopolitical shocks, supply disruptions, and long-term strategic competition.…