Chinese artificial intelligence startup DeepSeek will make permanent a 75% price cut on its flagship V4-Pro artificial intelligence model, keeping prices at a quarter of their original level, the company said in a statement on Saturday. DeepSeek did not disclose whether the permanent
‘Work culture is not hell’: Man who worked in Europe, UK, Canada and US says Bengaluru’s real problem is commuteA man claimed Bengaluru’s commute, not work culture, is the real reason many professionals feel exhausted. Published on: May 25, 2026 10:56 AM IST By Mahipal Singh Chouhan Share
Aishwarya Rai's stylist gets emotional about dressing 'icon' for her high-stakes Cannes return: 'What a week it’s been'Stylist Mohit Rai hails Aishwarya Rai as Cannes ‘legend’, silencing critics with a masterclass in avant-garde couture: ‘Showing the children how it’s done’
Uttar Pradesh groom murder main accused killed in police ‘encounter’Police said Ravi Yadav, the accused, who carried a reward of ₹1 lakh on his head, was on a motorcycle when he was asked to stop during vehicle checking Published on: May 25, 2026 10:54 AM IST By HT Correspondent Share via
‘Laughed at me, called me stupid’: Founder of AI data collection firm on Pronto CEO Anjali SardanaHuman Archive founder Rushil Agarwal has taken a swipe at Pronto's Anjali Sardana amid the row around the Bengaluru startup recording inside customers’ homes Updated on: May 25
In the English translation of Franz Kafka’s short story, Metamorphosis, published in 2007, Michel Hofmann translated the famous opening line (which included the German word “Ungeziefer”, generically meaning insect) in this manner: “When Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from troubled dreams
Marco Rubio visits Taj Mahal in Agra with wife Jeanette | VideoAfter the Agra visit, he is scheduled to continue his trip to Jaipur later in the day. Updated on: May 25, 2026 10:46 AM IST By HT News Desk Share via Copy link US secretary of state Marco Rubio visited the Taj Mahal in Agra on Monday
Cardiologist reveals the real cause of heart attacks that most people overlook and it’s not just ‘bad cholesterol’Could your gut health be affecting your heart? A cardiologist explains how inflammation, poor sleep, stress, and unhealthy habits may raise heart attack risk. Published on: May 25
The Iran war is causing a global energy crisis - can China withstand it?
China has long braced for a Gulf oil supply shock - but the Iran war's disruption of a key global shipping route is now putting its resilience to the test.
Energy shipments from the Middle East have been at a standstill following Iran's threats to attack vessels that pass through a critical trade waterway as retaliation against US-Israeli strikes.
The blockade has led to a global oil shortage which has rocked Gulf-reliant Asian countries hard - with the Philippines mandating four-day work weeks to save fuel, and Indonesia seeking ways to avoid burning through reserves that will last just weeks.
China, the world's largest buyer of oil, is also feeling the strain.
But the country sits in a better position than its neighbours, after years of statecraft that have prepared it for a global energy crisis.
The world economy has been thrown into turbulence since the US and Israel launched strikes against Iran in late February.
Since then, oil prices have at points soared to close to $120 (£90) a barrel - pushed up by strikes on shipping and energy infrastructure and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the world's busiest oil shipping channel.
About a fifth of the world's oil passes through the strait - around 20 million barrels each day, according to estimates from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA).
The shortage has left countries scrambling for alternative crude suppliers outside of the Gulf, while others are tapping into their own oil reserves.
As the world's second-largest consumer of oil after the US, China uses an estimated 15 to 16 million barrels of oil daily, various market analysts told the BBC.
The oil is mainly used for China's massive transportation network of cars, trucks and jets. And much of it comes from abroad.
Gulf countries are a major source of the oil China ships in, with barrels from Saudi Arabia and Iran accounting for more than 10% of its imports each, according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA).
Most of the country's imported crude oil, which comes from Iran and the Middle East through the South China Sea, is used as fuel to support factories and transportation, mainly in the southern half of China.
The country's north, however, is mainly powered by oil produced domestically in major oilfields, along with pipeline imports from Russia - and these are not disrupted by the war in the Middle East.
While many Asian countries have relied heavily on oil from Gulf nations, Russian oil accounts for nearly a fifth of China's energy imports. That makes Moscow by far Beijing's biggest oil supplier, despite sanctions from the US and Europe.
Coal is also the dominant source of power for most of China's electricity, and is available in abundance locally.
China is the world's largest coal producer, accounting for more than half of global production.
Oil and gas meanwhile account for just over a quarter of China's total energy mix, according to estimates published in state media - making the country less dependent on the resource than Europe and the US.
Beijing has over the years taken advantage of lower crude prices and the abundance of supply from Gulf states to build one of the world's biggest oil reserves, says Ole Hansen, Saxo Bank's head of commodity strategy.
In January and February of this year alone, Beijing bought 16% more crude compared to the same time period a year earlier, according to its customs administration.
Iran, whose oil is sanctioned by the US, has been a key supplier of cheap crude for China, with reports suggesting that Beijing buys more than 80% of Iran's oil exports.
Vessel-tracking data since the Iran war started indicates that some of this oil is still arriving in China - though analysts disagree on the exact size of China's oil stockpile.
According to trade analytics group Kpler, more than 46 million barrels of Iranian crude oil - several days' worth of energy - currently sit in tankers along the South China Sea.
Hansen says that estimates show China has built up reserves of around 900 million barrels - just under three months' worth of imports. Figures from Columbia University, cited by Chinese state media, said China had petrol reserves of some 1.4 billion barrels.
It is also unclear how much daily imported energy China is using right away, and how much is being funnelled into its oil reserves, says Hansen. The sheer volume, he adds, still serves as a "substantial buffer" for times of disruption.
Despite its reserves, Beijing has shown signs of caution to manage its supplies in the near future.
Authorities in China reportedly ordered its oil refineries to stop exporting fuel for the time being, in an attempt to keep domestic prices under control. China's government did not respond to BBC queries on the matter.
China has become a world leader in green energy, rapidly rolling out wind and solar farms across the country.
Wind, solar and hydropower generated more than a third of China's electricity in 2024. But the country has since expanded its renewables grid significantly, with estimates saying more than half the installed capacity is now from clean sources.
As a result of its renewable push, crude oil only made up around a fifth of China's total energy consumption in 2024.
And this demand for oil is unlikely to rise again in the future, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).
Energy economics researcher Roger Fouquet said China's "ambitious" transition to renewables is not merely an environmental move, but has also helped to protect its economy from global risks like those we're seeing with the Iran conflict.
"To some extent, China is fortunate that 25 years ago it began its investment in renewable energy and it is now reaping the benefits," he said.
Electric vehicles (EVs), which account for at least a third of new cars sold in China, have also helped the country's economy become less reliant on oil, said Roc Shi from the University of Technology Sydney.
It means an EV owner in Beijing simply doesn't feel the pain at the pump when the Middle East flares up," he said. "Their mobility costs are decoupled from international oil markets.
That is not to say the Chinese economy is immune to oil supply shocks.
For drivers of electric cars, charging prices can climb during an energy crisis if fuel prices rise.
Last week, petrol and diesel prices rose by 695 yuan ($100; £75) and 670 yuan per tonne respectively, according to state news outlet China Daily citing an official report.
For China's factories, rising oil prices can also drive costs in its massive petrochemical industry, which produces plastics, fertilisers and other chemicals.
As the world's largest energy importer, every barrel of oil will now come with a higher price tag due to the war, said Shi - but China will have no choice but to pay that premium.
Source: BBC
Related Posts: How Iran war laid bare the world's reliance on Gulf oil and gas Gulf economies face long-term hit from Iran conflict Does India have enough fertiliser stocks to tide over Iran war shock Crude shock for India as New Delhi emerges most vulnerable to Iran war War with Iran delivers another shock to global economy Morgan Stanley cuts India exposure on LNG shock from Iran war Energy shock from Iran war delays rate cuts Gulf economies at risk of worst slump since 1990s on Iran war China 'does not agree' with ally Iran's attacks on Gulf nations How long can India handle US-Iran war as exports choke
Turkish riot police fired tear gas and forced their way into the main opposition party’s headquarters to evict its ousted leadership on Sunday (May 24, 2026), deepening a crisis at the heart of Turkiye’s democracy. Clouds of tear gas billowed within the Republican People’s Party
56 minutes ago
You and I are on a mysterious journey to a financial wilderness. This is not time travel. No ticking clocks or vanishing calendars. Neither the past lingers nor the future unfolds. Deep within this wilderness lies a cave wherein Master Time has imprisoned three strangers
58 minutes ago
The prices of petrol and diesel were increased on Monday for the fourth time in two weeks. The fuel rates went up by an average of Rs 2.8 per litre across the country. In Delhi, the price of petrol increased by Rs 2.61 to reach Rs 102.12 per litre, while diesel increased by Rs 2.71 to Rs 95
57 minutes ago
Every year, Saddam takes children from his village in Bihar’s Araria district to a madrasa in Maharashtra. In April this year, parents of 100 children from Bagdahara village gave Saddam the responsibility of taking them to the madrasa in Latur district
3 hours ago
The BJP has secured a significant victory in the Falta assembly seat repoll. Debanshu Panda of the BJP won by a margin exceeding one lakh votes. The Trinamool Congress finished fourth. West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari commented on the win
3 hours ago
West Bengal authorities are establishing holding centres for foreigners apprehended for illegal stay. This move follows a policy announcement to detect, delete, and deport illegal Bangladeshi immigrants. The state government is instructing district magistrates to follow central guidelines for the
3 hours ago
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has assured tribal communities. He stated that the Uniform Civil Code will not affect their culture and traditions. Shah stressed the right of every person to practice their original faith. He said no one should be forced to convert
3 hours ago
Once the free update period concludes, individuals will need to pay a fee of Rs 50 for document updates at Aadhaar centers. New Delhi: The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has recently extended the deadline for free updates of Aadhaar documents by a year
3 hours ago
Income Tax Department opens ITR filing for AY 2026-27, salaried non audit taxpayers face a July 31 2026 deadline, e verification within 30 days is mandatory for processing. ITR Filing Guide 2026: The filing process for Income Tax Returns (ITRs) for AY 2026-27 has begun
3 hours ago
Fixed Deposit Interest Rates: Along with public and private sector banks, small finance banks have also started offering up to 8% interest on fixed deposits (FD) to senior citizens. Best FD Rates for Senior Citizens Senior Citizen FD Rates: Even today
3 hours ago
'She was expected to be 24/7 unpaid labourer': Woman leaves NRI husband over 'endless chores'An X user has sparked a heated debate online by claiming that the “NRI dream” is often a trap, especially for dependent wives. Updated on: May 25, 2026 7:25 AM IST By Sanya Jain Share via Copy link An X
3 hours ago
After Pronto row, Snabbit founder says ‘No customer's home ever recorded by us’Snabbit assured customers that they do not record videos inside homes for AI training, amidst scrutiny of competitor Pronto. Updated on: May 25, 2026 6:21 AM IST By Sanya Jain Share via Copy link On the same day that
3 hours ago
India, US signal thaw as EAM Jaishankar, Marco Rubio meetThe two leaders held talks at Hyderabad House, a day after Rubio arrived in India for a four-day visit. Updated on: May 25, 2026 7:32 AM IST By Rezaul H Laskar Share via Copy link India and the US on Sunday moved to set aside the rancour and
3 hours ago
The Bharatiya Janata Party government in West Bengal on Friday ordered “holding centres” to be set up across the state for alleged undocumented immigrants and for released foreign prisoners awaiting deportation or repatriation, ANI reported. The order was issued by the Secretary of the Home and
3 hours ago
Olivia Dean has closed out BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend with a joyful set which was, as she put it, "magic". The UK pop girl of the moment captivated the tens of thousands who had gathered at the main stage with her mesmerising vocals, delighting them with soulful renditions of hits including Dive
3 hours ago
As the West Asia conflict continues to rage on, fuel prices remain a key concern for households and transport users across India, with LPG, CNG and PNG rates seeing revisions at regular intervals amid global energy supply woes. On Saturday, LPG, CNG and PNG prices rose twice within a week
3 hours ago
At least 20 people have been killed and 70 others injured in an explosion targeting a train transporting military personnel in Pakistan. The blast occurred while the train was travelling through Chaman Phatak station in Quetta, the capital of the western Balochistan region, on Sunday morning
3 hours ago
Jagdish Agrahari, a resident of Sultanpur in Ayodhya district, Uttar Pradesh, started rearing cattle in August 2025 and selling milk to supplement his income. He has four jersey cows, one Holstein Friesian, and three buffaloes. Agrahari’s jersey cows fell sick during the weather-changing season
3 hours ago
Pisces Horoscope Today for May 25, 2026: Financial decisions today need attention and honestyPisces Horoscope Today: Avoid agreeing to anything just because it feels easier in the moment. Updated on: May 25, 2026 5:42 AM IST Edited by Soumi Pyne Share via Copy link Pisces (Feb 20-Mar 20) Daily
3 hours ago
India, US aim to seal trade deal soon; American delegation to visit DelhiFew signs of forward movement have appeared since PM Modi and US President Donald Trump announced on February 2 that the two sides were close to a trade deal. Updated on: May 25, 2026 7:42 AM IST By Rezaul H Laskar
3 hours ago
Strains of the old "Glory, Glory" anthem echoed inside the giant stadium as Tottenham Hotspur stepped back from the precipice of the most humiliating relegation in Premier League history. Spurs players and supporters were in unison at last as they could finally look forward to next season as a
3 hours ago
Love Horoscope Today for May 25, 2026: Someone’s effort may be quiet yet genuineLove Horoscope Today: Find daily astrological predictions for all sun signs. Published on: May 25, 2026 7:44 AM IST By Kishori Sud Share via Copy link Aries Horoscope Today Love energy feels intense and fast-moving
3 hours ago
It is not yet three full years since an estimated 70,000 ecstatic fans turned out to acclaim West Ham's jubilant squad as they arrived back in east London with the Europa Conference League trophy. The 2-1 win over Fiorentina in Prague ended a 40-year wait for a trophy and seemed to herald the dawn
3 hours ago
Alia - whose name we have changed for her safety - travelled hundreds of miles from her village to Kabul to escape marriage. The journey by taxi last year with her female cousin - covered from head to toe, only their eyes visible, as the rules decree - was an exceptional thing to do
3 hours ago
The weather office has issued a red category warning for parts of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and adjoining regions for the next two days. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday said heat wave to severe heat wave conditions are expected to persist across central India until the end
3 hours ago
Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Debangshu Panda secured an overwhelming victory in West Bengal’s Falta Assembly repoll on Saturday, according to data from the Election Commission. Panda defeated his Communist Party of India (Marxist) rival Sambhu Nath Kurmi by 1,09,021 votes
3 hours ago
Apple is all set to unveil its latest versions of iOS and other related operating systems at the company's WWDC 2026 conference next month. Ahead of the event, a new report by Bloomberg's Marg Gurman has revealed a host of new features that iOS 27 could get including a big boost to Genmoji
3 hours ago
