Beijing’s Expanding Energy Exploration Threatens South China Sea Neighbors, Report Says

This picture taken on May 14, 2014 from a Vietnamese coast guard ship shows a Chinese coast guard vessel (R) sailing near China's oil drilling rig in disputed waters in the South China Sea. Hoang Dinh Nam/AFP via Getty Images

China produces more solar energy panels than any other country and is moving to dominate the world’s electric vehicle (EV) battery market, but the Asian giant has also embarked on an intrusive expansion of oil and gas exploration and production, according to a new report from the Institute for Energy Research (IER).

“China’s strategic emphasis on low-carbon energy has captured the attention of U.S. analysts, prompting some to call for a commensurate focus on the space stateside,” according to the report, which was released on Oct. 26.