China's product imports rise 21%

China imported 83.98 million tons of crude oil and 21.97 million tons of refined petroleum products from January to July, up 12.9% and 21.2% year-on-year respectively, according to the latest customs statistics. The country exported 7.12 million tons of refined products, down 19.3% year-on-year, and 3.42 million tons of crude oil, down 22.9%. In July alone, 10.64 million tons of crude oil and 3.74 million tons of refined products were imported, while 420,000 tons of crude oil and 92,000 tons of refined products were exported. (August 14, 2006)