China’s exports of refined fuel products rose year-on-year last May, while crude imports remained high.
Diesel exports rose almost four times over last year to 600 thousand metric tons, and gasoline exports rose by 67 per cent to 1.36 million metric tons.
Domestic diesel demand was affected by continued weakness in China’s real estate market as well as a slowdown in the manufacturing sector.
Boosting demand from the aviation sector led to an increase in kerosene exports of up to 950 thousand metric tons compared with the previous year’s 810 thousand metric tons.
China imported 6.41 million metric tons of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in May, up 31.5 percent from last year as sharp falls in spot prices encouraged purchases.