Since the start of the Iran war, China has sharply cut the amount of oil it imports.

China’s reduced oil and LNG imports have helped stabilize global energy markets during the Iran war, as Beijing drew down inventories, cut refinery runs, and delayed spot…

China's crude oil imports fell 20% in April 2026 to 38.5 million metric tons, the lowest since mid-2022, as the Iran conflict closes the Strait of Hormuz.

Shortages have been mitigated by a slowdown in Chinese oil purchases, robust inventories, emergency stock releases and surging US exports.

Since the start of the Iran war, China has sharply cut the amount of oil it imports.