China's oil imports hit highest since March in October

China imported more crude oil in October than in any month since March this year. But compared with the same month last year, the country's oil imports fell by 13.3 percent. The figures came from official Chinese statistics released on Tuesday, amid disruption to global oil supplies caused by the war in the Middle East.

According to a Reuters report, the world's largest oil importer brought in 41.94 million metric tonnes of crude oil in October, equivalent to 9.88 million barrels a day. Data from China's customs administration show daily imports rose 9.4 percent in October compared with September.

Exports of refined oil products, including petrol, diesel, aviation fuel and fuel oil, fell in October to 5.18 million tonnes, down from 7.16 million tonnes in September. But compared with October last year, exports were up 14.6 percent.

From January to October this year, China's total exports of refined oil products stood at 46.59 million tonnes, 2 percent lower than the same period last year. Meanwhile, imports of these products rose in October to 3.15 million tonnes, up from 1.85 million tonnes in September.

Over the first 10 months of the year, however, imports of refined oil products have fallen. During this period China imported 27.15 million tonnes of these products, compared with 34.19 million tonnes in the same period last year.

In October, China's natural gas imports rose 2.4 percent compared with the same month last year. Combining LNG and pipeline supplies, the country imported 10.11 million tonnes of gas in the month.

But over the 10 months from January to October, China's total natural gas imports fell 2.8 percent compared with the same period last year. During this period the country imported 99.22 million metric tonnes of gas.