Economic recovery led to rise in demand, say industry observers

China's January crude oil imports rose 33 percent from a year earlier as economic recovery bolstered demand for fuels.

The country, which is the world's second largest oil consumer, imported 17.11 million tons of crude last month, the General Administration of Customs said on its website. The country imported 21.26 million tons of crude in December last year, up 47.9 percent year-on-year.