China’s refined fuel exports rose in July from the previous month as Beijing eased restrictions imposed after the Iran war disrupted oil supplies through the Strait of Hormuz, Reuters reports citing customs data.

Exports of refined petroleum products, including diesel, petrol, jet fuel and marine fuel, reached 4.65 million tonnes in July, up 6.7 per cent from June but still 12.9pc lower than a year earlier.

China, a major fuel supplier to Asia, imposed strict export controls in March to protect its domestic market from an oil price shock after the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Beijing eased the restrictions in July and again in August, approving exports above pre-war levels.