China's Assistant to Foreign Minister Cui Tiankai on Wednesday urged the international community to maintain stability in oil-rich areas in a bid to ensure energy security.

Cui said at a three-day seminar on energy safety in Beijing that conflicts in oil-rich and producing regions, including the Middle East and Africa, had seriously affected global energy security.

"China believes that conflicts should be solved through peaceful consultation with the principles of the U.N. Charter and international law," he said, adding that intensifying conflicts in those areas was like "setting the oil alight".

World crude oil prices surged above 71 U.S. dollars a barrel Tuesday amid concerns over an active hurricane season.

Cui said the rising price had a great impact on the world economy and a growing influence on each nation's politics and diplomatic strategy.

Nations were becoming more inter-dependent on energy, which meant cooperation was needed to ensure security. "Energy security is not an all-or-nothing game," he said.

Cui said China was seeking a cooperative partnership with world's major energy producing, consuming and transporting nations on the basis of mutual benefit.

"China's (energy) cooperation with many countries didn't start yesterday, but is an extension of long-term friendly cooperative ties," he said.

He also said the government aimed to meet its energy demands with domestic supplies, and would tap more resources and economize on consumption.

Source: Xinhua