Drivers in China Rush to Fill Petrol Tanks Before Major Price Hike

Drivers in China Rush to Refuel Amid Upcoming Petrol Price Hike

Beijing will raise refined oil prices at midnight, marking the fifth increase this year. Drivers are scrambling to fill their tanks ahead of the price surge.

The Chinese government has implemented temporary controls to reduce the impact of rising international oil prices, which have surged due to tensions in the Middle East. This is the first intervention since the pricing mechanism was introduced in 2013.

Under the current system, petrol and diesel prices would be increased by significant amounts, but with temporary controls, the actual increases are lower. However, these measures aim to cushion the financial burden on consumers and downstream users.

Frank Jin, an office employee in Beijing, said, 'I’m taking my lunch break to top up the tank quickly ahead of the price increase, as I fear long queues after work in the evening.'