It's good to compare Europe's energy policy with China, since both are nations that are relatively resource poor, although Europe has far more energy resources than China.
Europe has a faith based energy policy, sort of the opposite of "if you build it, they will come". With respect to fossil fuels, Europe has adopted the point of view that "if we destroy it, we won't need it".
Now contrast with China. China is expanding use of coal(1), they have signed long term contracts with Iran and Russia for oil and natural gas, they are building more pipelines(2), they are increasing their own oil exploration to further exploit any fossil fuel resources they have domestically (3), and they are expanding domestic refining capacity (4).
Plus, they have accumulated a massive 1.5 billion barrel strategic reserve of oil. All while also expanding investments in nuclear and renewables. It's not like if you build a refinery, then that prevents you from building a nuclear power plant also. You can do both! You can make energy cheap and abundant.
That is why China is awash in low cost energy to fuel domestic industry (5) while Europe is energy starved. One is led by strategic thinking rooted in reality while the other is led by a policy of wishful thinking and then scolding when things go sideways.
(1) https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/chinas-coal-power-ri...
(2) https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202608/17/WS6a82d860a3107385...
(3) https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/new-updates/china-...
(4) https://en.sedaily.com/international/2026/10/05/us-japan-eur...
(5) https://www.globalelectricity.org/electricity-prices-by-coun...