Publication Type

Journal Article

Version

publishedVersion

Publication Date

4-2016

Abstract

Since China became a net oil importer in 1993, oil refineries have played integral roles in China's quest for oil security. And yet, the capacity, security, and configurations of refineries were rarely featured in the discussions about China's oil policy. To fill this gap, this paper explains the basics of refinery economics and technology, and details the development in China's refining industry since the early 1990s. By taking refineries into consideration, it then revisits and reassesses the existing literature regarding the motives and drivers behind China's foreign oil policy, its effectiveness, and the political interactions between China and crude oil producers.

Keywords

China’s energy security, refineries, oil trade, Chinese foreign policy, technology

Discipline

Asian Studies | Energy Policy | Portfolio and Security Analysis

Research Areas

Political Science

Publication

Pacific Review

Volume

29

Issue

3

First Page

361

Last Page

386

ISSN

0951-2748

Identifier

10.1080/09512748.2015.1022584

Publisher

Taylor & Francis

Additional URL

https://doi.org/10.1080/09512748.2015.1022584

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