The current slump in global oil prices has seen a surge in overseas Chinese purchases.
The latest data shows China National United Oil purchased a record 21-million barrels of oil from the Middle East last month.
This comes as the price of oil dips below the 80-US dollar a barrel range.
Oil prices have declined over 20-percent through the last five months.
OPEC says it expects oil demand in the coming year may be slightly lower than this year.
For more on the issue, we are joined now live by Mike Bastin, Director of The China Business Centre based in London.
