Imports of oil, oil products, and chemical products reached $6.51 billion in the first three months, the official from the State Petroleum and Chemical Industry Bureau under the State Economic and Trade Commission told Reuters.

Exports of oil products alone dropped a year-on-year 27.7 per cent in the first quarter, he said, but did not give a breakdown.

Among the chemical products, tyre exports increased by 29.3 per cent year-on-year, while imports dropped 55.5 percent, the official said without giving further details.

China has said it exported 19.83 million tonnes of crude oil and imported 35.47 million tonnes in 1997.China's chemical exports hit $15 billion last year, up 21 per cent from 1996.