China needs to play a more active role in global security issues to maintain its expanding economic ties with other countries, especially with key energy partners, analysts said.

They made the remarks against the backdrop of China recently surpassing the United States to become the world's largest oil importer, driven by the demand to fuel the development of the world's second-largest economy and largest population.

According to the US Energy Information Administration, China surpassed the US in September as the world's biggest net oil importer, driven by faster economic growth and strong auto sales. The EIA forecasts such a trend will continue through 2014, The Associated Press reported.