Number 1 buyer of a product would really like others to let them buy it still.
68
[deleted]5 days ago
+17
[deleted]
17
ActivatingEMP5 days ago
+10
Is China really trying to win the "AI race"? It seems like they have distillation models on lock and don't really need to spend trillions like US companies for about the same product
10
[deleted]5 days ago
-3
[deleted]
-3
ActivatingEMP5 days ago
+5
That form of ML has already been heavily developed for drone applications and is not ridiculously power intensive like LLMs are, and China doesn't really seem to be that interested in global conflicts other than the invasion of Taiwan. It seems like they really just want to be an economic superpower that exports to the world, honestly.
5
nosfer825 days ago
+1
You still need to mass produce it. And one of 2 have no chance on that.
Anyway i do not believe china have military aspirations USA is the one try to hold the world hostage.
1
Dickle_Pizazz5 days ago
+3
I’m actually writing my thesis on how the arms race for AI is altering the balance of power. China has been stockpiling oil and by some estimates has an eight month reserve. They are also able to accept a wide variety of grades and have direct access to Russia. Additionally, they are the world leaders in renewables that everyone wants right now and have built up a huge supply chain to deliver them at scale.
This war actually benefits them in that their regional rivals are seriously dependent on GCC energy (and helium, in Taiwan’s case). Japan is realizing how vulnerable they are. Taiwan’s opposition leader just visited Xi. I expect a warming of relations if their access continues to be cut off.
It also benefits them because they want to get rid of the petrodollar. The longer the war and closer of the strait continues, the longer that seems likely. I think they view this as the US Suez moment, and they have long been planning for it.
3
[deleted]5 days ago
[deleted]
0
Dickle_Pizazz5 days ago
+3
It’s a difficult question to answer in part because they have different approaches. Both are attempting to reach AGI, but China is more focused on incorporating AI into every aspect of its economy and much of its society to help train and optimize, whereas the US is pumping massive amounts of money into data centers in a moonshot approach to reach AGI first.
I think the American people will suffer from the moonshot approach, because the data centers consume massive amounts of energy and water that people also need. This causes prices to rise accordingly. It’s a similar situation to when ethanol additives caused food prices to rise. Also, the Chinese grid is incredibly complex and able to flex to utilize whatever energy source is most cost effective, and the US grid is barely holding on as is.
Ultimately, I believe the US will beat them to AGI, but at what costs I can’t say.
3
meedmishmohd5 days ago
+3
“My shit is intact I didn’t attack anyone or block anything. I’m held hostage by maniacs you supplied with missiles for c**** oil”
3
dkyeager5 days ago
+1
Not certain about this. Might be far more economical to come in a close second and avoid the bleeding edge costs.
1
BoppityBop25 days ago
-8
China weirdly also has alot of oil of its own and has access to other sources. They are not the ones in danger. But they prefer stability and will want a negotiated settlement.
-8
Sniperkitten425 days ago
+7
No they don't, China still imports over 80% of it's energy. Most of that from the gulf.
They had a six week surplus built up to hedge against this very problem they have seen coming for decades.
They have weeks, if not days of supply left.
7
Keffola5 days ago
+1
Feel like your numbers are wrong, I thought they increased their reserves significantly over 2025 and its closer to 80 days now?
1
Alive_Internet5 days ago
-8
This is likely the real reason for the blockade. If the US keeps it up, China fully collapses so that Americans won’t need to worry about another country threatening their security or hegemony.
-8
Seanspeed5 days ago
+4
That's how major wars start. lol China will not just accept collapse, they'd do something about it first if they think that's the US' goal. China is not Cuba. They are a legit military peer and hold significant economic leverage over the US.
US would be insane to press on this for that reason.
And I dont know the numbers, but realistically China would probably just go into oil rationing and buying more oil elsewhere temporarily rather than collapse, at least in the short term.
4
Ok_Philosopher_85935 days ago
-1
I hope China will keep a low profile on this matter, otherwise Trump will be happy to post dozens more tweets every day.
-1
Alive_Internet5 days ago
-3
I agree that’s a potential risk, but this is probably the best chance the US has to take out China without violence. I can’t think of another method that could accomplish that goal peacefully.
-3
Ble_h5 days ago
+2
Is this collapse in the room with us now? People have been saying China will collapse since the 80’s, this is a hinderance to growth but not collapse.
2
Alive_Internet5 days ago
-3
China can’t function without oil, so whether they collapse will depend entirely on how much longer the US blocks their access to oil. Not a fan of Trump, but the blockade is a genius move that gives the US all the leverage over China.
-3
[deleted]5 days ago
+1
[deleted]
1
fancczf5 days ago
+3
Not sure what this have to do with AI. Oil product is negligible in terms of source of electricity in China, if used at all. About 60% of power generation in China are from coal, and the remaining are mix of solar, hydro, wind and nuclear. China doesn’t burn oil for power. Oil is almost exclusively used for transportation and industrial use.
3
[deleted]5 days ago
+1
[deleted]
1
fancczf5 days ago
+1
Like I said most of the use are for manufacturing and transportation. Even transportation reliance has been reducing as electrification taking place. Really doubt it has any impact on AI whatsoever. Manufacturing is whatever, since most of the petrochemical players in China are affiliated with one of those state owned companies one way or another, they will probably live.
Issue is likely in jet fuel, diesel fuel and gas. Which is the same problem almost every other country face.
1
[deleted]5 days ago
+1
[deleted]
1
fancczf5 days ago
+1
There are only a handful of countries in the world that has an export surplus. US, Russia, Canada, Norway, Australia and the Middle East groups of countries. Unless those countries lock down their market they are gonna suffer as well since they are net exporter, the price locally is going to go just as high what they are selling other countries.
1
BoppityBop25 days ago
-1
https://www.visualcapitalist.com/mapped-where-china-gets-its-oil/
Yes but there are alot of sources they can tap into to get oil if they are in need or their reserves get too low. Plus Saudi has redirected a fair amount of its oil through other channels.
Plus they produce 4.5 million barrels a day. They are not going to run out of oil any time soon in addition to their reserves. .
China's record oil output reaches limits of what's possible - https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/chinas-record-oil-output-reaches-limits-whats-possible-2026-03-20/
-1
[deleted]5 days ago
+1
[deleted]
1
BoppityBop25 days ago
It really is not a bottle neck until China starts rationing, plus oil is not a tool for electricity generation, China relies on coal for electricity which is what AI is mostly reliant on.
0
yahoonews5 days ago
+24
**From Reuters:**
Chinese President Xi Jinping called for normal passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz to be maintained, in a phone call on Monday with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held as Beijing steps up efforts to help end the Iran war.
China is concerned over renewed instability around the strategic waterway, as a U.S.-Iran ceasefire came under fresh strain after the U.S. seized an Iranian cargo ship and Tehran signaled it would not join new peace talks for now.
China is the main buyer of Iranian crude. Iran has largely closed the strait to ships other than its own since the United States and Israel launched the war in February, while Washington has imposed a blockade of Iranian ships since last week.
Read more: [https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/chinas-xi-call-saudi-crown-120213699.html?ncid=listnooknewsus](https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/chinas-xi-call-saudi-crown-120213699.html?ncid=listnooknewsus)
24
itsFelbourne5 days ago
+40
Did Xi accidentally dial the wrong number or something?
40
Lain_Staley5 days ago
+42
Perhaps he wants SA to put pressure on the US to stop the blockade (the proponent of which alternates between US and Iran on a daily basis).
China is the country most dependent on oil from this region, adjusted for its size. One could go so far to say that this "war" has always been about China.
42
itsFelbourne5 days ago
+13
The US isn’t blockading Saudi oil. If China wants to buy it, they only have to convince Iran to let it through.
Iran has clearly stated that they are not willing to relinquish their claims on the strait even if the blockade is lifted, and expect their control of the strait to be recognized. The Saudis cannot pressure the US to accept a deal that reopens the strait as an international shipping lane because Iran has yet to offer one
13
SidewaysFancyPrance5 days ago
+2
> The US isn’t blockading Saudi oil.
Didn't they say they'd go after any ship that pays Iran a toll? If so, the US would be blocking Saudi oil if the Saudis paid Iran to let it through. The US is just not dumb enough to punch holes in their tankers like they would with an Iranian-flagged vessel.
2
itsFelbourne5 days ago
+1
I’m sure that China could just pay Iran directly to get its shipments through if it wanted to, and just avoid the entire process of having ships pay
1
LivedLostLivalil4 days ago
+1
The ship still wouldn't be able to go in or out because of the US blockade. Getting it to china on land is difficult.
1
itsFelbourne4 days ago
Saudi oil isn’t subject to the blockade and if China directly paid Iran to let it through the US would have no way of knowing
0
LivedLostLivalil4 days ago
+1
Right, but China is wanting to pressure the US through the saudis, not Iran. saudis are one of the countries that have requested this be done from the US. It's far more important to the Saudis for control of the strait then any business deal they could make with China for short term profits, especially with their partnership they have with the US.
>US would have no way of knowing>
If the US somehow wasn't able to come to the obvious conclusion, it would only work for one ship. China's needs are far higher than that.
1
t0getheralone5 days ago
-1
Almost like the US should have been happy with the status quo pre war...
-1
itsFelbourne5 days ago
+10
Sure, but that sentiment is neither here nor there in terms of helping China get oil out
10
iwasuncoolonce4 days ago
+1
The iranian regime caused inflation and the devaluing of their currency and the citizens protested and got killed.
Gaza was 80% destroyed
I think the US was happy
1
BoppityBop25 days ago
-4
China is not at risk of running out of oil anytime soon but alot of other nations are and they desire stability. China also produces alot of oil of its own and can import from Russia and Indonesia plus SA and NA if necessary, as they can easlyoutbix everyone
-4
Sniperkitten425 days ago
-1
Where does china produce its own oil at? How have they kept this vast reserve a secret from the world? Why do they buy so much if they are such a big producer?
-1
phiwong5 days ago
+14
China is, in terms of daily production, a major producer of crude oil comparatively. However, it is also a huge consumer which far outstrips their production. In net terms, China is the biggest single importer of crude.
14
BoppityBop25 days ago
+7
They consume more than they produce but also produce 4.5 million barrels per day.
China's record oil output reaches limits of what's possible - https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/chinas-record-oil-output-reaches-limits-whats-possible-2026-03-20/
7
iwasuncoolonce4 days ago
+1
China only produces ½ the oil they need
1
unskilledplay4 days ago
+1
Their billion barrel strategic reserve isn't hidden. Their entire mitigation strategy isn't hidden. They are and have been open about their long term and short term strategy to deal with a global energy crisis.
If you think there is any secret here, blame the media you consume.
1
rimshot995 days ago
+18
What a great idea, thanks Xi!
18
SuccessfulPres5 days ago
+6
He’s trying to get the US to stop their blockade so Iran will stop their blockade as well.
The Saudi’s have some sway over US policy, but not nearly as much as Israel.
6
I_Push_Buttonz5 days ago
+8
And Xi has infinitely more sway over Iran since China is the only major customer of Iranian fossil fuel exports (which generate 40-50% of the Iranian government's revenue) AND the Iranian arms industry's sole source of inputs (chips, rare earths, chemicals, magnets, drone parts/engines, etc.).
If China actually wanted this war to end, they could end it instantly by threatening to cut off Iran. They don't want the war to end, they want the US to exhaust itself while feigning a desire for peace.
8
SuccessfulPres5 days ago
+9
Iran opened up the strait under Chinese pressure, then the US continued the blockade, so Iran closed the strait again.
China isn’t interested in collapsing an entire country, they will trade with anybody, that’s been their entire foreign policy goal for decades now. They trade with both Ukraine and Russia. “We will trade with anybody” is their entire schtick and what makes them reliable trading partners.
9
StoryboardPilot5 days ago
+1
Let's say they can just make Iran open the strait, if America still blocks the strait then what's the point? China wants the blockade to end or at least for China bound ships to be allowed through
China could make deals with Iran to allow some ships through, but there is nothing they could offer Iran/IRGC to completely end their blockade and let themselves be destroyed without fighting back.
1
I_Push_Buttonz5 days ago
+4
> Let's say they can just make Iran open the strait, if America still blocks the strait then what's the point?
1) The US isn't blocking the strait, its blockading Iranian ports.
2) The US is only implementing its blockade because Iran insists it now has sovereignty over the strait, gets to decide who comes and goes, and gets to extract tolls for transiting it.
4
StoryboardPilot5 days ago
+2
And Iran only implemented its blockade after the war in a bid to survive. It's conceivable for Iran to agree to tolless passage in a peace deal (i know it's not actually possible because Iran insists on reparations as part of peace and America will never agree to it) but even if China can force Iran to unilaterally stop their blockade the US blockade still stops China from getting Iranian oil
Anyway my point is all that is moot because China doesn't actually have that type of leverage. Iran/IRGC's blockade is about holding the global economy hostage to survive, how can China fill in the blank of "let yourself be destroyed or we will _______"?
2
just_a_guy_named16815 days ago
+6
Didn't the crown prince want to continue the war?
6
FordMaverickFan5 days ago
+17
Yea the ME nations want the IRGC out of power as they've been funding extremist in their countries since the 80s.
China has interesting foreign policy plays so it's likely that SA asked "why are you arming the IRGC if you want the war to end?" And China felt compelled to respond.
China has stopped deliveries to Malaysia and Vietnam for certain fuels as their economy is heavily dependent on OPEC oil
17
meedmishmohd5 days ago
+1
Want them out of power and ‘want the war to continue’ are not the same. The ‘yea’ in your comment is incorrect and should be edited.
1
Seanspeed5 days ago
+1
>Yea the ME nations want the IRGC out of power as they've been funding extremist in their countries since the 80s.
It's nice to want things.
But you'd think at this point, they'd recognize that this is not realistically on the cards via pure bombing campaign.
1
benkkelly5 days ago
+1
No real evidence of that aside from unnamed sources. They're working with Pakistan to secure a ceasefire.
1
CBT7commander5 days ago
+6
Reminding the obvious: the single largest importer of oil on earth is not a big fan of its main supply route being cut off and of prices jumping up.
I know, a child could understand that, but listnookors don’t seem to be able to, so it’s good to lay it out in simple English
6
niknacks5 days ago
+2
Think Xi called the wrong number for that
2
Orphasmia5 days ago
+1
He’s like “i mean i might as well ask”
1
CipherWeaver5 days ago
+1
MBS and Bibi pushed Trump into this war, does Xi think they will ask Trump to back down?
1
Doctor_Saved5 days ago
-2
He's calling the wrong people then.
-2
Plenty_Beautiful_5475 days ago
-11
Looked like things were set to open up until the US insisted on their brilliant ‘navel blockade’ 🙄 thanks again America 🇺🇸👍🏻 SO MUCH WINNING!!!
-11
toeknn5 days ago
+9
You must have read very different news.
Prior to the blockade iran was playing favorites and tollkeeper. Nothing about the strait being open.
9
Alive_Internet5 days ago
-3
Well, we’re winning in that China is significantly weakened and faces imminent collapse without access to Iranian oil. Our top adversary has been taken down without violence, which I’m sure most Americans see as a win.
71 Comments