With an increasing number of countries becoming industrialized, energy, the so-called blood of modern economy, is becoming increasingly important. Energy security has become an important factor that directly influences the world economic stability and international relations. Last month, the G-8 summit and the North-South dialogue held in St. Petersburg, Russia took energy security as a primary subject, which demonstrates its rising position in the international security forum.

Peace and development are the two major themes in today's world, as well as the major ruling objective for most governments. However, both the two objectives are energy-related. The oil crisis took place in 1970's left many countries with a lingering fear. The reason why the whole world has been paying close attention to Iran's nuclear issue is that the thorny problem does not only relate to nuclear proliferation and regional security issues, but also, if not handled properly, will strike against world oil supply, jeopardize energy security and affect the prosperity and stability of world economy. Once the global economy becomes turbulent and unstable, the vast majority of the countries in the world would not be able to conduct themselves virtuously. Although energy security is treated as a part of non-traditional issues, it will affect the traditional military security and influence international relations. In recent years many disputes have arisen between different countries as a result of energy entanglements. If not tackled properly, these disputes will seriously affect the relations between states, especially between big powers, which will eventually undermine the regional stability.

How to address energy security issues is a major problem facing the entire contemporary world. Some countries treat the energy issue by using traditional realism thinking and make indiscreet remarks or criticisms on some developing countries' increasing energy demand. They drum for ��energy threat�� theory. It seems that they are the only eligible countries to consume energy on the earth. It is irrational to ensure one's own supply by limiting the demand of other countries. Instead of effectively maintaining international energy security, it will easily trigger conflicts and undermine world peace.

The international community, especially big powers needs to discard their outmoded ways of thinking when dealing with international energy security issues. What they should keep in mind is not how to divide the existing energy market and secure their vested interests, but is how to make a bigger cake, how to develop new energy sources and improve energy efficiency, and, how to maintain a sustainable energy development. Actually, the world countries, especially industrialized countries and those who are on their ways to industrialization have tremendous common interests and strong potentials for cooperation. Countries should learn from each other about their strong points in technology, policy and management to tap new resources and economize on expense. With the development of science and technology, new energy will continue to emerge from time to time. The rapid updates from the fuelwood era to the coal era, and then to the oil era have demonstrated that with the development of social productive forces, the energy category will also be updated, too. For the moment, there are many energy options available to humanity. Apart from the most commonly used oil and coal, there are also types of energy such as nuclear energy, hydropower, wind, solar, natural gas, biogas, bio-energy, etc. Among them only oil reports a prominent gap between supply and demand. If the international community can strengthen communication and cooperation and join hands in rational use of oil and other energy resources, the security of international energy will be guaranteed and potential threats to the world peace and development caused by energy problem can be eliminated.

The author Liu Jianfei, professor of the International Strategic Research Center of Central Communist Party School of China. Translated by People's Daily Online.

By People's Daily Online