Increase in commuter traffic after pandemic restrictions lifted
Letter from China: Rebounding demand meets economic headwinds
Opec+ and the IEA have both revised up 2023 forecasts for Chinese oil demand in recent weeks
The swift recovery in China’s urban commuter traffic and supply-chain logistics after Beijing abandoned pandemic restrictions two months ago has raised hopes of a strong economic rebound. But the real impact is unlikely to be seen for some time yet. China’s dramatic reopening has been rapid but bumpy, with infections still sweeping the nation. But this year’s week-long Lunar New Year public holiday—which began on 23 January—is unique in that vast swathes of the population are no longer under Covid travel restrictions or lockdowns for the first time since the pandemic began. This relative freedom—combined with major Chinese cities, including Beijing and Shanghai, emerging from peak infections
Also in this section
13 November 2025
The new federal government appears far more supportive of oil and gas than former prime minister Justin Trudeau’s climate-focused administration, but the prospects look better for the latter hydrocarbon
12 November 2025
The November 2025 issue of Petroleum Economist is out now!
10 November 2025
The Russian firm made a significant attempt to expand overseas over the past two decades but is now trying to divest its global operations
10 November 2025
OPEC+ has proven to be astute at bringing back oil production, but mysteries around Chinese buying, missing barrels and oil-on-water have left the group in wait-and-see mode
