regional energy cooperation mechanisms.
However, China’s involvement was not
deep at that time, so the symbolism of its
participation outweighed the effects.
Entering the 21st century, and with
increasing globalisation, China started to
make more effective contributions to global
energy issues. Its role shifted from active
participant to active influencer. It has
developed cooperation in various forms
with the International Energy Agency
(IEA), the International Energy Forum, the
Organization of Petroleum Exporting
Countries (OPEC), the Energy Charter, the
International Renewable Energy Agency
and the International Atomic Energy
Agency as a member, ally, dialogue partner
or observer, and played an important role
in several major energy issues. In particular, China became the promoter of some
major energy issues through the G20,
BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India,
China, and South Africa), Asia-Pacific
Economic Cooperation (APEC) and
Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.
China is also a founding member of
many international energy organisations,
such as the International Energy Forum,
Joint Organisations Data Initiative, International Partnership for Energy Efficiency
Cooperation, and the Clean Energy Ministerial. China has also actively participated
in and hosted many international energy
conferences. In November 2015, China
became one of first IEA associate members. In 2016, China hosted the G20
Summit in Hangzhou, where global energy
governance was an important topic.
Source IEA, China’s Engagement in
Global Energy Governance (2016)
Box 24: The relationship between the
Belt and Road Initiative and international cooperation on energy and
global energy governance
Energy cooperation is an important part of
the Belt and Road initiative (BRI). Strategically, it is necessary to clarify the position of energy cooperation and its scope
and role, as well as the impacts of energy
cooperation on BRI and global energy
governance.
1. BRI can bring dividends to regional
energy cooperation. First, energy
cooperation can lead, influence and
drive other actions during the implementation of BRI. Second, energy
cooperation is the foundation for
building a community of common
political, economic and energy security.
2. Energy cooperation in BRI requires
certain conditions to thrive. These
include defining mutual benefits,
win-win cooperation and incremental
progress, a common understanding of
cooperation and open economies, prioritising the role of the market and
making companies the main actors,
implementing a strategy of effective
checks and balances, and bilateral
cooperation within a multilateral
environment.
3. Key energy collaboration areas in BRI
are strengthening cooperation in the
construction of energy infrastructure to
improve regional energy trade and
energy security; interconnecting oil, gas
and electricity facilities; cooperating in
energy production, processing and use
to guarantee regional energy security;
establishing
regional
energy
Special Report 5: International Energy Cooperation and Governance
677
However, China’s involvement was not
deep at that time, so the symbolism of its
participation outweighed the effects.
Entering the 21st century, and with
increasing globalisation, China started to
make more effective contributions to global
energy issues. Its role shifted from active
participant to active influencer. It has
developed cooperation in various forms
with the International Energy Agency
(IEA), the International Energy Forum, the
Organization of Petroleum Exporting
Countries (OPEC), the Energy Charter, the
International Renewable Energy Agency
and the International Atomic Energy
Agency as a member, ally, dialogue partner
or observer, and played an important role
in several major energy issues. In particular, China became the promoter of some
major energy issues through the G20,
BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India,
China, and South Africa), Asia-Pacific
Economic Cooperation (APEC) and
Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.
China is also a founding member of
many international energy organisations,
such as the International Energy Forum,
Joint Organisations Data Initiative, International Partnership for Energy Efficiency
Cooperation, and the Clean Energy Ministerial. China has also actively participated
in and hosted many international energy
conferences. In November 2015, China
became one of first IEA associate members. In 2016, China hosted the G20
Summit in Hangzhou, where global energy
governance was an important topic.
Source IEA, China’s Engagement in
Global Energy Governance (2016)
Box 24: The relationship between the
Belt and Road Initiative and international cooperation on energy and
global energy governance
Energy cooperation is an important part of
the Belt and Road initiative (BRI). Strategically, it is necessary to clarify the position of energy cooperation and its scope
and role, as well as the impacts of energy
cooperation on BRI and global energy
governance.
1. BRI can bring dividends to regional
energy cooperation. First, energy
cooperation can lead, influence and
drive other actions during the implementation of BRI. Second, energy
cooperation is the foundation for
building a community of common
political, economic and energy security.
2. Energy cooperation in BRI requires
certain conditions to thrive. These
include defining mutual benefits,
win-win cooperation and incremental
progress, a common understanding of
cooperation and open economies, prioritising the role of the market and
making companies the main actors,
implementing a strategy of effective
checks and balances, and bilateral
cooperation within a multilateral
environment.
3. Key energy collaboration areas in BRI
are strengthening cooperation in the
construction of energy infrastructure to
improve regional energy trade and
energy security; interconnecting oil, gas
and electricity facilities; cooperating in
energy production, processing and use
to guarantee regional energy security;
establishing
regional
energy
Special Report 5: International Energy Cooperation and Governance
677