MNI (BEIJING) - China imported 49.1 million metric tonnes of crude oil in August, up from July’s 42.3 million metric tonnes, according to data released by Chinese customs on Tuesday. 

Beijing’s inbound shipments of crude now total 366.9 million metric tonnes during the first eight months of the year, down 3.2% y/y, versus the 2.4% decline over the first seven months.

China's crude oil refinery processing and crude imports will increase in the second half by 3.2% and 4.5% over H1 levels as consumption rises, but both are set to fall during 2024 MNI reported recently. (See MNI INTERVIEW: China Oil Imports To Fall Despite H2 Boost)