Analysis: How the Chinese media covers the energy crisis in Iran

As the closure of the Strait of Hormuz wreaks havoc on fossil fuel supplies around the world, outstanding the story of western My media was what low carbon energy has helped to soften the worst with impact to China.

While Chinese-language media make similar arguments, they also emphasize China’s coal industry and broader energy security narratives.

Below, Carbon Brief examines how Chinese news outlets have covered the energy implications of the US-Israeli war with Iran.

Justification of the “new energy” system.

As the conflict escalated, several Chinese-language publications turned their attention to China’s clean energy infrastructure.

The tension underscores the “importance” of energy security and energy transition, Boao forum secretary-general Zhang Jun wrote in a commentary for the Communist Party. People’s daily.

The China Youth Dailyparty newspaper aimed at young readers says conflict has “worsened” fragile energy supply chains, underscoring need for “development”new energy“sources of energy security”.

Building “localized” clean energy capacity is a “strategic imperative” as well as an important aspect of climate action, writes Van Nin, a research fellow at the government organization Institute of World Economy in state support Global Times.

Meanwhile, Liu Ying, a researcher at Renmin University Chunyan Institute of Financial Researchreports the State Information Agency Xinhua that China could benefit if the crisis catalyzes a “restructuring of the global energy order” and accelerates the use of solar and wind energy.

Echoing this sentiment, the WeChat account Photoelectric newsrun by an unnamed person, says: “New energy is precisely the core of China’s power.”

Coal is king?

However, the wider commentary on the war tends to emphasize “China”higher and higher» approach to energy transition.

State broadcaster video surveillance held a segment on April 6, highlighting Chinese President Xi Jinping’s “need to accelerate the planning and construction of a new energy system to ensure energy security.” The conflict was not mentioned directly on the air.

He said Xi also emphasized “coordinating” development of hydropower while preserving the environment, “active” construction of nuclear power in a “safe and orderly manner” and ensuring energy supply by “strengthening” the development of the energy system for production, supply, storage and sale.

A “greener, more diversified and more sustainable” energy system “will provide a strong guarantee for China’s energy security and economic development,” CCTV added, but also stressed the need to develop “clean and efficient” types of fossil fuels.

“Sharp comment” in People’s daily – designation for comments which the paper considers important – it says that a number of initiatives, from “diversified energy imports” to “vigorous development of green energy” have allowed China to “secure its energy supply” and “take the lead in energy security”.

Similarly, an editorial in a commercial news publication Business Journal of the 21st Century says China is “less likely to face the direct impact of this oil crisis” because of its reliance on coal and renewables.

It also noted the opportunity the conflict presented in terms of greater global demand for Chinese clean energy technologies.

The role of coal in the energy mix as a “ballast” and a tool for “reducing peaks” “continues to strengthen”, notes the economic publication Jimian – although the exit also recognizes China’s “vigorous” clean energy contributions.

Pro-coal WeChat accounts have particularly highlighted the fuel’s role in the crisis.

Coal “will continue to serve as the cornerstone of the energy supply,” he says Coal visionthe WeChat account that manages Xiamen Zhengzhuo Trading Companya firm that trades in coal and other commodities.

Exactly the same Guizhou coal data states: “When there is a real emergency, you have to ask: What energy source do we really control? There is only one answer: coal.” The account is maintained by an information services firm Guizhou Yuteng Coal Industry Big Data Information Center.

Several media outlets have also highlighted China’s efforts to secure gas supplies from other countries.

Wen Shaoqing, a columnist for a nationalist publication Guanchawrites that an the agreement between China and Turkmenistan shortly after the start of the conflict, confirmed plans to build a new gas pipeline represent a “strategic” move to ensure the “survival of the nation”.

In particular, two articles of Art Guancha a roundup of coverage of China’s response by foreign publications — both emphasizing the role of renewable energy in insulating China from an energy shock — also received more than 100,000 views.

Safety of coal chemicals

meanwhile, Xinhua published an article about “turning China’s advantage in coal resources into an advantage in natural gas development,” although it did not directly mention Iran.

It is added that the ruler of China is in state ownership PetroChina Coalbed Methane Co claimed that coal methane can “transform China from (being) an energy giant into an energy powerhouse.”

Shortly after the publication of the article in Xinhua Jimian said China has a responsibility to develop coalbed methane to “ensure our energy self-sufficiency”.

Similarly, several news outlets have covered “goodness” that the war may be for China coal-chem industry.

An article published by a WeChat account Sinhai Intelligence Bureau claims that China’s development of coal and chemical industries, rather than “new energy”, is what prepared it for “worst-case scenarios” such as war. The account is maintained by a technology media company Technology Beijing Lightspeed Time Network.

Publication of financial news EastMoney says the “strategic importance” of China’s coal and chemical industry is likely to grow “amid rising global volatility.”