China increases Russian oil imports as Middle East supply tightens

China's imports of Russian crude reportedly increased by roughly 200,000 barrels per day in August to about 1.6 million barrels per day, the highest level since March.
That marked a third consecutive monthly increase and brought the cumulative gain over the period to approximately 500,000 barrels per day.
The shift comes as Middle East supply becomes more constrained and disruption around the Strait of Hormuz complicates regional shipping, encouraging Chinese refiners to rely more heavily on Russian crude.
Russian barrels are increasingly helping fill the supply gap, partially offsetting pressure from disrupted Middle East flows.