China's petrochemical industry is emerging from its slump thanks to a two-month long crackdown on oil products smuggled into China.
Officials with the General Administration of Customs said Thursday that 180 smuggling suspects were seized in the crackdown and 7,004 tons of oil worth 16 million yuan were confiscated.
Authorities created a database to collect information on suspects. It has enabled anti-smuggling forces to do more effective surveillance on docks, oil depots and major sources of oil products.
The smuggled products had created a glut of oil, which forced domestic oil prices down.