China cannot step away from the international
energy market and international political and
economic environment. The question is: how can
China compete in the global market and achieve
energy security through market-oriented means.
(5) Focus: When developing strategies and
plans, China needs to pay more attention
to international energy cooperation and
participate actively in global energy
governance
According to the 13th Five-Year Development
Plan for Energy (2016-20), China will assess the
domestic and international energy sector to
develop programmes, make full use of domestic
and international markets and resources, comprehensively implement its strategy of opening up
energy markets and international cooperation,
seize the great opportunities brought by the Belt
and Road Initiative, promote the interconnection of
energy infrastructure, enhance cooperation on
international production capacity, and actively
participate in global energy governance. The plan
defines several tasks: participating in major energy
events, defining rules and regulations for international platforms and organisations, strengthening
cooperation with regional organisations, and collaborating to ensure regional energy security.
11.1.3 China Will Impact Future Global
Energy Governance
(1) Reforms: Pragmatic reform on both sides
and increased cooperation are prerequisites for China’s substantive participation
in the mainstream governance framework
At present, China relies mainly on mainstream
mechanisms in global energy governance. Substantive participation calls for reform and compromise on both sides. China’s participation in
the mainstream framework, led by international
organisations like the IEA, requires effort from
both sides. Apart from China’s willingness,
capacity, and strategic appeal, global energy
governance needs a more inclusive framework,
so reform of these international organisations has
become an irreversible trend.
(2) Multilateral common ground: China is
currently participating in global energy
governance under the existing framework
but has shown initiative by creating more
flexible practices
The governance mechanisms led by China, or
involving China, are concerned mainly with
regional or multilateral common ground. The
Belt and Road Initiative, especially with regard
to the construction of energy infrastructure, will
test the effectiveness of the emerging governance
framework and China’s influence on it.
(3) Taking the initiative: China will play an
active role in the global energy governance system, but improvements to the
system are necessary
China’s willingness and capability are the main
factors that influence China’s involvement in the
global energy governance system, both of which
depend on China’s attitude and strategic choices.
China’s participation in global energy governance requires it to create the right conditions for
its involvement. In terms of its own interests, the
costs, benefits and risks are the key to China’s
further involvement in the global energy governance system. With respect to its approach,
should China work to improve the existing
mechanisms or make a radical restart?
(4) Implications: China’s participation in
global energy governance will have deep
and extensive impacts
China’s participation in global energy governance will affect the existing governance framework and its participants in profound and
different ways. First, how will China’s participation or actions affect the objectives and operation of the existing governance system? Second,
how will China’s participation affect the interests
of other participants in the existing system? As
Special Report 5: International Energy Cooperation and Governance
675
energy market and international political and
economic environment. The question is: how can
China compete in the global market and achieve
energy security through market-oriented means.
(5) Focus: When developing strategies and
plans, China needs to pay more attention
to international energy cooperation and
participate actively in global energy
governance
According to the 13th Five-Year Development
Plan for Energy (2016-20), China will assess the
domestic and international energy sector to
develop programmes, make full use of domestic
and international markets and resources, comprehensively implement its strategy of opening up
energy markets and international cooperation,
seize the great opportunities brought by the Belt
and Road Initiative, promote the interconnection of
energy infrastructure, enhance cooperation on
international production capacity, and actively
participate in global energy governance. The plan
defines several tasks: participating in major energy
events, defining rules and regulations for international platforms and organisations, strengthening
cooperation with regional organisations, and collaborating to ensure regional energy security.
11.1.3 China Will Impact Future Global
Energy Governance
(1) Reforms: Pragmatic reform on both sides
and increased cooperation are prerequisites for China’s substantive participation
in the mainstream governance framework
At present, China relies mainly on mainstream
mechanisms in global energy governance. Substantive participation calls for reform and compromise on both sides. China’s participation in
the mainstream framework, led by international
organisations like the IEA, requires effort from
both sides. Apart from China’s willingness,
capacity, and strategic appeal, global energy
governance needs a more inclusive framework,
so reform of these international organisations has
become an irreversible trend.
(2) Multilateral common ground: China is
currently participating in global energy
governance under the existing framework
but has shown initiative by creating more
flexible practices
The governance mechanisms led by China, or
involving China, are concerned mainly with
regional or multilateral common ground. The
Belt and Road Initiative, especially with regard
to the construction of energy infrastructure, will
test the effectiveness of the emerging governance
framework and China’s influence on it.
(3) Taking the initiative: China will play an
active role in the global energy governance system, but improvements to the
system are necessary
China’s willingness and capability are the main
factors that influence China’s involvement in the
global energy governance system, both of which
depend on China’s attitude and strategic choices.
China’s participation in global energy governance requires it to create the right conditions for
its involvement. In terms of its own interests, the
costs, benefits and risks are the key to China’s
further involvement in the global energy governance system. With respect to its approach,
should China work to improve the existing
mechanisms or make a radical restart?
(4) Implications: China’s participation in
global energy governance will have deep
and extensive impacts
China’s participation in global energy governance will affect the existing governance framework and its participants in profound and
different ways. First, how will China’s participation or actions affect the objectives and operation of the existing governance system? Second,
how will China’s participation affect the interests
of other participants in the existing system? As
Special Report 5: International Energy Cooperation and Governance
675