China’s surge in crude imports early this year has strengthened its stockpiles against a backdrop of rising Middle East tensions and global supply risks.
China imported 96.93 million tonnes of crude in January and February, up 15.8 per cent from the same period in 2025, according to customs data released on Tuesday. The value of those imports, meanwhile, fell 5.2 per cent from last year in US dollar terms.
“China was accumulating oil and gas stockpiles [earlier this year], with the market…
Bolstering oil stockpile, China’s import surge seen creating a 120-day shock shield
