(Yicai Global) June 15 -- China bought 215.6 million tons of crude oil from overseas between January and May, some 5.2 percent more than a year earlier, according to official data.

Crude oil purchases in May were up 19.2 percent at nearly 50 million tons, figures from the National Bureau of Statistics showed today.

China processed 1 percent less crude oil during the first five months when compared with a year ago, 16.46 million tons, while in May the figure was up 1.3 percent at 53.9 million tons.

The country produced 80.9 million tons of crude oil over from January through May, up 1.9 percent. The output in May was up 1.3 percent annually at 16.46 million tons.

Editor: James Boynton