China’s government has instructed the country’s largest oil refiners to suspend exports of diesel and gasoline, prioritizing domestic fuel supply amid disruptions to crude oil flows from the Middle East, according to Bloomberg. The directive, issued by the National Development and Reform Commission, covers new export contracts and encourages refiners to cancel previously agreed shipments.
The suspension does not apply to jet fuel or bunker fuel stored in bonded facilities, nor to exports destined for Hong Kong and Macau. Analysts note that the measure reflects concerns over energy security, as China relies heavily on imports passing through strategic chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz, which supplied roughly 57 percent of China’s seaborne crude imports in 2025, Kpler noted.
The move highlights how external geopolitical shocks can trigger government interventions, tightening export volumes and affecting regional fuel markets. Industry observers warn that prolonged disruptions may influence refinery output and margins in the coming months, reinforcing the strategic role of domestic stockpiles in safeguarding energy supply.
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