China imported 122.72 tons of crude oil last year, up 34.8 percent over the previous year, said a senior official with the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in Beijing Tuesday.

Last year, China imported 37.88 million tons of refined oil, a rise of 34.1 percent, said NBS Director Li Deshui at a press conference.

China also exported 5.49 million tons of crude oil and 11.46 million tons of refined oil in 2004.

Statistics with China's Customs show that in 2003, China imported 91.12 million tons of crude oil valued at US$19.81 billion, and 28.24 million tons of refined oil valued at US$5.86 billion. 

(Xinhua News Agency January 25, 2005)