China halts diesel and gasoline exports as the Middle East war increasingly threatens energy flows and raises concerns about a broader supply crunch, according to a report citing people familiar with the matter.
China is a net importer of crude and, like several major Asian economies, relies heavily on the Strait of Hormuz for energy shipments. With traffic through the waterway reportedly blocked, Beijing is moving to prioritise domestic supply.
Bloomberg has reported that officials from China’s top economic planner, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), met with refinery representatives and verbally called for a temporary suspension of refined product shipments that would begin immediately, the report said. Refiners were also asked to stop signing new contracts and to negotiate cancellations of already-agreed shipments.
The move comes as supply chain risks mount across Asia, with governments and companies reassessing fuel availability and logistics during the conflict.
The report named major state-linked refiners and exporters that regularly receive government fuel export quotas, including PetroChina, Sinopec, CNOOC, Sinochem Group, and private refiner Zhejiang Petrochemical.
Read: Iran Declares Live-Fire Zone Near Strait of Hormuz After US Move
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint for global crude oil and LNG flows. With regional tensions disrupting normal shipping patterns, Asian import-dependent economies face heightened energy security concerns.
