RUBIO TO NBC: ARMS SALES TO TAIWAN NOT PROMINENT IN CHINA TALKS

China’s gasoline demand is expected to fall further this year as higher oil prices from the Iran conflict and a long-term shift toward electrification reduce consumption. GL Consulting forecasts a 5.5% decline, revised from 5.2%, marking the second-largest contraction on record after 2022 Covid lockdowns. The International Energy Agency also expects demand to slow sharply this quarter. Rising fuel prices, near record highs in April, have curbed driving despite government caps. Analysts said inflation pressures and growing transport alternatives are further weakening gasoline and diesel demand in China.

CHINA'S CSI ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) INDEX SET TO OPEN UP NEARLY 2%