China Expands Oil Stockpiles and Boosts Production Against Supply Shocks

China's NDRC confirms expansion of crude oil stockpiles and higher domestic output to counter global supply risks, reinforcing demand support amid diversification from Middle East suppliers. Q1 oil imports jumped 8.9% year-on-year to fuel stockpiling, despite March's 2.3% drop to 49.98 million tons; natural gas and LNG imports fell 11% and 22% respectively. Saudi shipments to China may halve in May from April's ~40 million barrels, adding bullish pressure on prices and reshaping trade flows.