China Energy Security and Portuguese-Speaking Countries

Energy security is extremely important for the continuity of the economic development, political and social stability and national security of China. Securing energy for the medium and long term is one of the biggest challenges facing Chinese leaders. This chapter analyzes the main challenges and strategies to Chinese energy security, focusing mainly on external strategies, especially the “Going Out Strategy” and the “Belt and Road Initiative” (BRI). Strengthening energy trade and cooperation with producer countries is one of the main objectives of China's energy strategy. This article also examines the potential of Portuguese-speaking countries (PLPs) for China's energy security. We conclude that the PLPs are important to China as gas and oil suppliers, as technology providers (advanced technologies and clean energy) and as bridges for the internationalization of Chinese energy companies.