According to Bloomberg News calculations based on figures provided by the country's Customs Administration, China increased crude-oil imports to a record in September, taking advantage of falling prices as domestic refining capacity climbed.

Crude imports surged 46% to 20 million tonnes or 4.87 million barrels a day in September from a year earlier. August purchases were 15.65 million tonnes.

Crude oil prices have fallen 45% from a record USD 147.27 a barrel reached on July 11 because of concerns the global credit crisis which will dampen economic growth and oil demand.