China imported 29.02 million tons of oil products in the first
10 months of 2007, a decline of 8.9 percent from the same period of
the previous year.
The imports were valued at 13.15 billion U.S. dollars, down 3.2
percent, customs sources said.
However, the nation exported 12.99 million tons of refined oil
during the 10-month period, up 30.4 percent on the same period of
the previous year.
Import decline coupled with export increase was due largely to
price hikes on world oil markets, the sources noted.
Major sources of imports were the Republic of Korea, ASEAN
members and Russia, while leading target markets for exports were
ASEAN members.
From January to October, China imported 7.22 million tons of oil
products from ROK, down 24.7 percent, 6.39 million tons from ASEAN
members, down 4.1 percent, and 4.51 million tons from Russia, down
1.3 percent.
The Chinese mainland exported 5.1 million tons of oil products
to ASEAN members, up 45.3 percent, 2 million tons to Hong Kong, up
26 percent, 1.68 million tons to Panama, up 23.2 percent.
(Xinhua News Agency January 7, 2008)
