China's massive economic growth has caused a corresponding spike in its energy needs. Although much of the international world is focusing on China's increased consumption of oil, most of China's economy is actually run on coal. Some 67 percent of China's energy needs are met by coal, while only 24 percent of its energy consumption is oil.
China imported 117 million tons of oil last year, while Japan imported 200 million tons, and the Untied States and Europe imported 500 million tons each, according to the Chinese State Information Center.
China has invested more than $8 billion in Sudan, which now supplies over 7 percent of the nation's oil. Some 4,000 unofficial Chinese forces reportedly protect those resources. China has sunk another $70 billion into Iran's oil and gas industry, which now supplies 11 percent of China's energy needs.."