BIZCHINA / Top Biz News
Second price hike in 2006
(China Daily)
Updated: 2006-05-24 08:36
China has raised the price of gasoline, diesel and aviation fuel by about
10 per cent, or 500 yuan (US$62.4) per tonne, as of today, sources with
the State Development and Reform Commission said.
An official with the commission said last night it had decided to
increase fuel prices as China's current prices are far below those of the
international market, which has damaged Chinese oil refineries' profits.
He added that the soaring price of crude oil on the international market
had been above US$70 per barrel for days.
The commission has asked all local governments to strictly implement a
series of subsidy policies after the fuel price rise and take measures to
protect taxi drivers' incomes.
It also asked the two national oil suppliers China National Petroleum
Corporation (CNPC) and China Petroleum and Chemical Corporation (Sinopec)
to increase the supply of processed oil to meet market demands.
This is "the largest adjustment since 2003," according to an Interfax
report.
The last oil price adjustment came on March 26, when gasoline and diesel
retail prices rose by 250 yuan (US$31.25) and 150 yuan (US$18.75) per
tonne.
Compensation measures were issued for transport and agricultural
industries on March 26, and were believed to pave the way for further oil
price hikes.
After the latest rise domestic fuel prices will still be around 800 yuan
(US$100) per tonne less than on the international market, according to
Gordon Kwan, director of China Oil and Gas Research with Hong Kong-based
CLSA brokerage.
Since January 2003, China's benchmark 90-octane retail gasoline guide
price has risen by 56 per cent and its diesel fuel price has risen by 50
per cent.
In the same period international crude oil prices have doubled.
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