China’s total crude oil imports surged 7.3% in 2020 despite the coronavirus shock early in the year, with record arrivals in the second and third quarter amid plunging oil prices and expanding refineries, data showed on Thursday. For 2020, the world’s top oil buyer brought in a record 542.37 million tonnes of crude oil, or 10.85 million barrels per day (bpd). December shipments were 38.47 million tonnes, equivalent to 9.06 million bpd, according to data released by the General Administration of Customs on Thursday. That was down about 15% from 10.71 million bpd in December last year and off 11.04 million bpd in ... (full story)