This is how Asians are struggling in the grip of the energy crisis: Fuel restrictions, vacation days and civil servants down the stairs

Many Asian countries have taken exceptionally drastic measures to avoid a fuel crisis.

The strategically important oil transport route, the Strait of Hormuz, has remained closed for more than four weeks as a result of the war that broke out in the Middle East. Uncertainty continues despite the fact that the President of the United States Donald Trump claimed yesterday that the war would end in two or three weeks.

US Energy Information Administration by more than 80 percent of the energy that passes through the strait goes to Asian countries, which has caused governments and companies to rush adaptation measures.

Chinese refineries cut production

The Chinese government has taken steps to curb the energy crisis, and citizens and businesses have been urged to conserve energy.

According to experts’ estimates the country has oil and gas reserves for about three months.

Refineries have cut production, and the country relies on stocks and alternative sources of imports. State oil company According to Petrochina about 10 percent of its deliveries go through the Strait of Hormuz. The exact figure is not known, but China’s total oil imports from the Middle East are greater than 10 percent.

There is an acute shortage of LNG in India. About 60 percent of imported liquefied gas, or LNG, comes from abroad, and most of it goes through the Strait of Hormuz. Hotels and restaurants in some parts of the country are closed because most of the food is prepared with liquefied gas.

The country is completely dependent on imported oil. It has about 60 days of oil reserves, which are enough to cover the national demand, says Reuters.

Sri Lanka, on the other hand, has introduced fuel restrictions and declared extra holidays, but long queues at gas stations have created difficulties for logistics.

The country also recently ordered restrictions on street lights, air conditioning and billboard lighting to reduce energy consumption. The island nation had previously introduced a four-day work week and instructed people to work remotely to reduce traffic.

In Thailand, the government has issued guidelines for energy saving, such as limiting the use of air conditioning and lights in public spaces.

Officials have been advised to use the stairs instead of the elevators. Locals have been offered incentives to use public transport. At the same time, households have been urged to avoid unnecessary use of household appliances.

Flights were canceled due to fear of fuel shortage

In order to stabilize prices, countries have also started to remove or lower taxes on gasoline and diesel.

In Vietnam, the Ministry of Commerce announced on Friday morning that it will temporarily remove the environmental tax on gasoline, diesel and jet fuel until mid-April.

“Removing the tax is an urgent and effective solution to stabilize the oil market and ensure national energy security,” the ministry wrote in his statement.

At the same time, the national airline Vietnam Airlines has begun canceling flights a week on several domestic routes starting in April due to a looming shortage of aviation fuel.

China and Thailand stopped exporting jet fuel in March because of the Iran war.

Slovenia is the first EU country to limit fuel purchases

President of the Philippines Bongbong Marcos in turn declared a national energy emergency last week.

According to the country’s government, there were about 45 days in the country at the end of March 2026 fuel stocks remaining based on current consumption level.

Farmers in particular have suffered from the sharp rise in fuel prices. The government has offered financial support, but many feel it is insufficient.