China's crude oil imports reached a record high in 2025, averaging 11.55 million barrels per day for a total of 557.73 million tons, according to official statistics reported by Reuters. This represents a 4.4% increase from the previous year.
In December 2025 alone, imports also set a record, averaging 13.18 million barrels daily for a total of 55.97 million tons.
These figures challenge assertions that Chinese oil demand is declining permanently due to transport electrification. Some of the imported oil has entered storage facilities.
China's increased purchases have provided support for oil prices, even as OPEC+ raised production and global demand growth faced uncertainties from U.S. trade policies and tariffs.
Frederic Lasserre, global head of research and analysis at Gunvor, stated in September that from March 2025, "we started to see a very impressive rate of stockpiling, like close to one million barrels per day."
Lasserre added that China will continue adding crude to strategic and commercial reserves into 2026. He noted the filling rate is about 60%, indicating room for more stockpiling.
China is constructing new oil storage capacity extensively. Reuters reported in October last year that 11 new storage sites are planned across the country for 2025 and 2026, with a combined capacity of around 169 million barrels.
This capacity equals two weeks of crude oil imports. Data from Vortexa and Kpler shows new storage additions between 2020 and 2024 were 180 to 190 million barrels.