By Hao Zhou (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2007-07-20 14:13

As crude oil prices hover as high as US$70 a barrel, the wholesale price of oil products in China has climbed to almost 6,000 yuan (US$793.2) per ton. Yet despite predictions of a retail price rise, there has still been no such announcement.

In Shanghai, China Petroleum and Chemical Corporation's (Sinopec) wholesale gasoline price climbed to 5,975 yuan per ton since May this year, driven by the price hike in the international crude oil market.

At the beginning of this year, Sinopec's oil product prices were 6,200 yuan per ton in Shanghai, and then dropped to 5,400 yuan per ton in February. From May, it began its increase to the current level.

The wholesale price is five percent less than the retail's, and Shanghai is enjoying a stable oil supply at present, confirmed an official from Sinopec.

Current wholesale prices of oil products in Guangzhou and Beijing are 5,950 yuan and 5,766 yuan per ton respectively.

At the same time, Sinopec's Guangzhou branch has ceased announcing price since June 20, and the Shanghai arms of both Sinopec and China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) halted quoting their prices for oil products last week.

However, there is as yet no evidence from Sinopec or CNPC about the further adjustment on retail oil products prices.