How Long Can China Keep Living Off Its Oil Reserves?

China's crude oil imports fell to their lowest in nearly a decade as Beijing drew down its stockpiles instead of buying at higher prices. Alex Hodes, Director of Energy Market Strategy at StoneX, explains how China's refinery reliance and its shrinking import needs are shaping the global oil market. He breaks down how long China can keep leaning on its Strategic Petroleum Reserve, what signals would show refiners stepping back in, and why Middle East crude supply tension has not sent prices soaring. The conversation also covers refinery run rates and the refined product export quotas worth watching. 0:00 China Drains Its Oil Reserves 1:08 Why China Stockpiled Crude 2:02 China Cuts Its Crude Imports 4:27 How Long the Buffer Lasts 6:11 Signs China Is Buying Again 7:37 What a China Return Means Discover Actionable Energy Insights with StoneX Market Intelligence: https://shop.stonex.com/collections/e... Like and subscribe for more financial market insights. #StoneX #AlexHodes #CrudeOil #OilPrices