China to Work With Southeast Asia on Energy Security

China, which maintains the world's largest oil refining sector, has expressed its readiness to collaborate with Southeast Asian nations to resolve energy security challenges arising from the conflict in Iran. Beijing also issued a call for an immediate cessation of military operations to prevent further global economic disruption.

This offer of cooperation comes as a significant development for the region of more than 700 million people. Earlier this month, the Chinese government implemented a ban on the export of diesel, gasoline, and jet fuel, a move that threatened to worsen shortages and drive up energy costs for strategic partners. Many of these nations were already under pressure due to supply constraints linked to the war involving the United States and Israel.