Testimony to US-China Economic and Security Review Commission

This testimony was delivered at the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission Hearing on "China’s Stockpiling and Mobilization Measures for Competition and Conflict" on June 13, 2024.

From the Introduction

Energy production and storage trends are an important signal that a country may be preparing to engage in warfare. Such data often hide in plain sight. Pinpointing “where to look, how to look at it, and how to assess what we see” is therefore critical. This analysis looks through the lens of “how might a war initiator prepare its energy system and stockpile energy goods in advance of kinetic conflict or activities that materially raise the risk of kinetic war?” It seeks to identify energy stockpiling activities that offer the most reliable strategic warning indicators and how those might be tracked. 

To access the full testimony, download the PDF or watch here.

Wherever feasible, this material was reviewed by outside experts before it was released. It has not been through editorial review. Any errors are the author's alone. 

This material may be quoted or reproduced without prior permission, provided appropriate credit is given to the author and Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy. The views expressed herein are those of the individual author(s), and do not necessarily represent the views of Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.