China imported 57.28 million metric tons of Russian crude oil in the first half of 2026, a 16.7% increase year-on-year, according to data from the General Administration of Customs of China.
The value of these shipments rose even more sharply, climbing 31.1% to $33.13 billion, indicating that higher volumes were accompanied by elevated pricing or currency effects.
The figures underscore the deepening integration of Russian energy supplies into the Chinese market.
With Moscow facing sustained Western sanctions, Beijing has become the critical outlet for Russian crude, absorbing volumes that would otherwise disrupt global benchmarks.
The simultaneous rise in import value suggests that Chinese refiners are willing to pay a premium for reliability, or that the ruble's weakness has not fully offset the dollar-denominated price increases.
This trend aligns with broader shifts in global energy trade flows.