China’s crude imports rose a stronger-than-expected 7.9 per cent in November from a year earlier, even though growth in fuel demand remained subdued in the world’s second-largest consumer, suggesting the country may be boosting its reserves.

November crude imports at 25.41 million tonnes, or 6.18 million barrels per day (bpd), were up 9 per cent on a daily basis from October, data from China’s General Administration of Customs showed.

For the first 11 months of the year, China’s crude imports rose to 278 million tonnes, or 6.08 mbpd, up 9 per cent from the same period last year, the customs data showed. The International Energy Agency (IEA) has revised up slightly its forecast for China’s oil demand in 2014, estimating demand will rise 2.5 per cent, compared to the 2.3 per cent predicted in September, on the back of state stockpiling after global oil prices fell to a five-year low.

Total fuel demand has been capped for most of the year by a slowing economy, which has taken its toll on demand for diesel, the main fuel used in the construction and transportation sectors, although demand for motor gasoline and aviation fuel has remained relatively healthy. The IEA said the the filling of state reserves probably continued into the fourth quarter.

“This would bring the total unreported stock build to 105 million barrels so far in 2014, well above the 89 million barrels posted in 2012 when a portion of Phase 2 State Petroleum Reserves (SPR) capacity was filled,” IEA said in its November report.

China’s strategic reserves may be holding double the amount of crude revealed in official plans, as companies take advantage of a dive in prices.