China has sharply expanded its crude oil stockpiles over the past year, building what analysts describe as one of the largest energy buffers in modern history as the war involving Iran continues to destabilize global supply routes and push markets into sustained volatility.
The buildup comes at a moment when the Strait of Hormuz remains closed both by the U.S. and Iran,, leaving energy markets on edge worldwide. Disruptions in the region have already contributed to wild price swings and heightened concerns over broader energy security across the world, with International Energy Agency head Fatih Birol saying that the world is facing its biggest energy security threat in history.
