Gasoline Imports Of China Jumps In August

From just 13.6 tons in July, China's gasoline imports jumped to 45,000 tons in August, a 7,896-percent increase.

The sharp rise in gasoline imports was attributed to the government's order in early August for state-owned refiners to ensure domestic gasoline supply.

The National Development and Reform Commission, China's top economic planner, also required the China National Petroleum Corp. and the Sinopec Group to increase oil refining volume and cut exports of refined oil products.

The two oil refiners exported 257,000 tons of gasoline in August, 18.3 percent less than exports in August 2006. The volume is also lesser than the 330,000 tons of gasoline they exported in July.