(Yicai Global) March 16 -- China processed 99.2 million tons of crude oil in the first two months of this year, down 3.8 percent from the same period last year despite an increase in crude output and imports, according to data published by the National Bureau of Statistics today.

The nation produced 32 million tons of crude in January and February, up 3.7 percent, while imports rose 5.2 percent to 86.1 million tons, the nation's customs administration said earlier this month.