中國自改革開放以來，經濟成長快速，工業生產及民間消費之能源需求量大幅提升，能源供應來源的穩定及持續，對維持其經濟發展具關鍵性作用。自1993年成為石油淨進口國後，中國進入一個新的能源安全時代，非洲地區豐富的石油蘊藏，遂成為中國重要的能源來源。90年代中期開始，北京政府透過中石油、中石化和中海油三大企業在非洲地區的投資，包括探勘、鑽井、開採、原油供應、提煉、運輸和油田權益等，取得非洲石油能源的穩定供應。此項戰略的基礎乃是中國對非洲外交的完整論述、實踐平台(中非合作論壇)、及領導人的密集出訪。

China’s economy has experienced unprecedented growth since the beginning of market reform in the late 1970s. Increases in industrial production and domestic consumption led to higher demand for energy resources. The stable and uninterrupted supply of energy resources is a key to maintain current pace of economic development. After China became a net oil importer in 1993, it has entered into a new era when energy security is the main focus. The abundant reserve of petroleum in Africa has made itself a major source of energy supply. Since the mid-1990s, Beijing authority has invested in exploration, drilling, extracting, oil supply, refining, transporting and share in oil fields in Africa through the big oil industries – China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), China Petrochemical Corporation (Sinopec), and China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), to ensure stable supply of oil. The foundation of this energy strategy is the comprehensive discourse, platform of action (Forum on China-Africa Cooperation) and intensive visits to Africa by China’s national leaders.