China has adjusted its oil prices for the third time this year, raising the cost of gasoline and diesel by 240 yuan (US$29) per tonne.

The refinery-level price adjustments were "in line with changes on the international oil market," said a circular from the State Development Planning Commission.

China's last oil price adjustment came on April 4, when the commission rose the price of gasoline by 11.2 percent to 2,580 yuan (US$311) per tonne and the diesel price by 11.7 percent to 2,300 yuan per tonne.

Beginning in November 1999, China decided to adjust its oil prices more frequently, basing the prices on the average in international markets over the preceding weeks.

Oil prices have been buoyed in recent months because of tensions related to the Middle East conflict, although they eased on profit-taking Friday.

In London Benchmark Brent North Sea crude for June delivery eased 25 cents a barrel to US$25.18 while in New York, the light sweet crude June contract fell 24 cents to US$26.0 a barrel in early trade.

(China Daily May 4, 2002)