Last year, its oil imports rose by nearly a third.

By 2020, China's oil imports are to be double the 2004 level.

China's oil imports jumped last year alone by 30 percent.

Whether higher oil imports will continue is "a critical question," he added.

Oil imports rose 15.2 percent in May, to $4.32 billion.

American dependence on oil imports grew from 24% in 1970 to 65% by the end of 2005.

A provision on oil imports would give the President too much authority.

In the first seven months of this year, oil imports alone accounted for more than $1 billion.

This comes at a time when rising oil imports are already raising questions about energy security.

He continued, "When we come out of the recession, our oil imports will start growing again."