China has directed its largest oil refiners to temporarily suspend exports of diesel and gasoline as rising tensions in the Middle East fuel concerns about disruptions to global energy supplies.
The move, reported by Bloomberg on Thursday, comes as Asian economies grow increasingly worried about the security of shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz one of the world’s most critical corridors for oil transportation which has reportedly faced blockages amid the escalating crisis.
China remains a major importer of crude oil and depends heavily on supplies from the Middle East.
According to energy analytics firm Kpler, about 57 percent of China’s seaborne crude imports in 2025 originated from the region.
Officials from China’s National Development and Reform Commission recently met with representatives of major refining companies and verbally instructed them to halt shipments of refined petroleum products with immediate effect.
According to the report, refiners were also asked to stop signing new export contracts and renegotiate or cancel existing agreements where possible.
The directive affects several major state-backed energy companies that typically receive government export quotas for refined fuel shipments.
These include PetroChina, Sinopec, CNOOC and Sinochem Group, as well as private refiner Zhejiang Petrochemical.
Analysts say the decision reflects Beijing’s effort to safeguard domestic fuel supplies and reduce exposure to potential disruptions in Middle Eastern oil shipments as the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran continues to escalate.
The Strait of Hormuz handles roughly a fifth of the world’s oil shipments, making it a strategic chokepoint for global energy markets.
Any prolonged disruption to the route could have far-reaching consequences for fuel prices and international trade.
China’s move signals growing global anxiety over the stability of energy supply chains as the conflict in the Middle East widens.
