US Media: Hormuz Strait Blockage Causes Sharp Drop in China's April Energy Imports
According to the latest data from China Customs, due to near-total disruption of shipping through the Hormuz Strait, China's energy imports plummeted in April. Crude oil imports declined by approximately 20% year-on-year to 38.47 million tons—the lowest level since July 2022—while natural gas imports fell by about 13% to 8.42 million tons.
Compared to the previous month, crude oil imports also decreased. The March import figures still included shipments that had already departed from the Persian Gulf before the U.S. and Israeli air strikes on Iran on February 28; in contrast, April’s data more directly reflects the tangible impact of the blockade.
The Hormuz Strait is a critical route for China’s imports of Middle Eastern crude oil and liquefied natural gas. This recent blockage has posed significant pressure on China’s energy supply security, further fueling market concerns over rising costs of economic operations.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1864698956422279/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.