China Raises Oil Imports to Guard Against Supply Disruptions
A crude oil tanker is guided to a berth at the oil terminal at the port in Qingdao, Shandong province.
Photographer: AFP/Getty Images
China purchased more crude in the first two months of the year as the country continued to hoard oil to guard against supply disruptions.
The world’s biggest buyer imported 96.93 million tons, a 16% increase from January-February 2025, according to customs data on Tuesday. The surplus is being used to fill commercial and strategic stockpiles that may need to be tapped if the US-Israeli war with Iran continues for any length of time.