China’s strategic resource accumulation: Preparing for an uncertain future

China’s actions about its stockpiling of oil and other key commodities have received a lot of attention recently. This has prompted concerns about whether these are preventative steps in case of future conflicts. These talks revolve around the port of Dongying in eastern China, where a new 31.5 million barrel storage facility was finished late last year. Several tankers have been unloading Russian crude oil into this facility since the beginning of 2024, frequently at the same time.

This action is a component of what dealers characterize as China’s deliberate attempt to accumulate strategic stocks. The Strategic Petroleum Reserves of China is estimated to be between 280 and 400 million barrels, depending on the source. Interestingly, the estimate is higher than the estimated 364 million barrels of strategic petroleum reserves held by the United States. It uses about 14 million barrels of oil per day during peacetime.  

Russia is the source of a large amount of these fresh inflows; last year, its energy exports to China increased by over 25% to a record 2.14 million barrels per day. Due to this increase, Beijing now gets more electricity from Russia than Saudi Arabia for the second year in a row. As a result of US and Western sanctions imposed after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, China has profited from significantly reduced Russian oil prices. 

A Vast National Initiative Oil stockpiling is only one aspect of what seems to be a larger national push by China to greatly expand its reserves of vital raw commodities. According to some analysts, Beijing may be using this tactic to shield itself from any future conflicts and international sanctions, such as those that could arise from a Chinese invasion of Taiwan.

The former head of the US Office of Naval Intelligence, Mike Studeman, claims that Chinese President Xi Jinping is getting his nation ready for a possible high-intensity war in an article published by “War on the Rocks.” As part of this preparedness, Chinese society is becoming more militarized, and strategic reserves of resources and necessities are being accumulated. These steps would shield China from military blockades in the case of a regional or international conflict, or from sanctions comparable to those imposed on Russia.  

The global oil market may see price increases as a result of China’s accumulation.  This might raise worries about shortages of supplies, particularly if other countries start stockpiling at the same rate. Geopolitical tension is increased by the strategic significance of these stockpiles, especially in light of The relations with Taiwan and the West.

The possible impact on international markets, especially its implications on supply chains and energy prices, is being evaluated by economists and market analysts. Trading partners are concerned about China’s stockpiling because it may be an attempt to protect itself from future sanctions or military blockades. 

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