China's dependence on imported oil reduced to 42.9 percent in 2005, down 2.2 percentage points from 2004, a report released by the National Development and Reform Commission said on Friday.

The report said China's net import of oil stood at 136.17 million tons in 2005, down 5.3 percent from 2004, or 7.56 million tons less than the previous year,

According to the report, the net import of crude oil came to 118.75 million tons, an increase of 1.2 percent. or 1.43 million tons more than 2004.

The import of processed oil dropped 34 percent to 17.42 million tons in 2005, or 8.99 million tons less than the previous year, it said.

An official with the commission attributed the reduced import of oil to an energy consumption campaign launched by the country last year, which enhanced the public's awareness of energy saving, as well as the development of energies which can substitute oil.

Customs statistics showed that China's crude oil output grew 3.7 percent to 181.5 million tons in 2005, or 6.48 million tons more than 2004.

Source: Xinhua