China’s energy imports rises 9.1% in first quarter

Energy imports increased 9.1% year on year in the January-March period, totaling roughly $110 billion (758.7 billion yuan), according to data from the General Administration of China Customs released on Thursday.

China’s total imports fell 7.1% year on year in the first quarter of this year, to $617.1 billion.

In the first quarter, lignite and coal imports increased by 96% to 101.8 million tons, while crude oil imports increased by 6.7% to 136.3 million tons. Natural gas imports, on the other hand, fell 3.6% to 26 million tons during the same period.

When compared to the same month last year, lignite and coal imports increased by 150.5% to 41.1 million tons in March, while crude oil imports increased by 22.4% to 52.3 million tons and natural gas imports saw an 11% rise to 8.9 million tons.

• Energy imports increased 9.1% year on year in the January-March period