Chinese oil and coal companies have been looking overseas in their quest to secure energy supplies, pitching the Chinese flag in places like Sudan, which Western companies had largely abandoned under international pressure.

WSJ: China Becomes World's Biggest Energy Consumer

Chinese oil and coal companies were among the first to look overseas in their quest for energy supplies, pitching the Chinese flag in places like Sudan, which Western companies had largely abandoned under international pressure.

FORBES: China Passes U.S. As Top Energy User