中国原油进口创记录，油价升至15个月来新高 (Oil Prices Rise to 15-Month High, Driven by Record Chinese Crude Imports)
国际油价已升至一桶近84美元，创下15个月以来最高记录。之前，中国发表一份报告显示，中国的石油进口需求量大大增加。
星期一纽约商品交易所电子交易2月交货的油价已升至每桶83.88美元，比星期五收盘时上涨一个多百分点。
分析人士表示，此次油价上涨的一个主要原因是中国政府近日发表的一份报告，报告显示中国去年12月进口创记录数量的原油。
这些分析人士说，另一个原因是美国、欧洲和亚洲部分地区长时间严寒天气导致对供取暖用燃料等石油产品的需求量增加。
分析人士表示，由于美元疲软，象石油这样的以美元计价的商品对手持坚挺货币的投资者更具吸引力。他们购买石油，以抵御通货膨胀的冲击。
Oil prices have risen to a 15-month high near $84 dollars a barrel after China issued a report showing a big jump in demand for oil imports.
The price of oil for February delivery rose as high as $83.88 a barrel Monday in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange, a gain of more than one-percent from Friday's close.
Analysts say a major factor behind the rise is a Chinese government report showing China imported a record amount of crude in December.
They say another factor is prolonged freezing weather in parts of the United States, Europe and Asia, which is boosting demand for oil products such as heating oil.
Analysts say a weak dollar is also making dollar-denominated commodities such as oil a more attractive investment for holders of stronger currencies, who buy oil as a type of insurance against inflation.