Letter from China: Taiwan tensions expose energy risks
China’s heavy reliance on energy imports means it too would be vulnerable in the event of armed confrontation
The US and China managed to avoid armed confrontation last week after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan, but the highly charged incident underlined the risks to global energy security should a war break out between the world’s two superpowers over what Beijing calls its “renegade province”. No issue has the potential to sour US-China relations more than Taiwan, which Beijing considers part of its territory and wants to reclaim—by force if necessary. Tensions were high as the US Air Force jet carrying Pelosi landed in Taiwan’s capital of Taipei last Tuesday, marking the first visit to the democratically ruled island by a House speaker in 25 years. Pelosi met Taiwanese leaders inclu
Also in this section
5 December 2025
Mistaken assumptions around an oil bull run that never happened are a warning over the talk of a supply glut
4 December 2025
Time is running out for Lukoil and Rosneft to divest international assets that will be mostly rendered useless to them when the US sanctions deadline arrives in mid-December
3 December 2025
Aramco’s pursuit of $30b in US gas partnerships marks a strategic pivot. The US gains capital and certainty; Saudi Arabia gains access, flexibility and a new export future
2 December 2025
The interplay between OPEC+, China and the US will define oil markets throughout 2026






