China’s oil demand to grow 6-8 pct in 2005 – NDRC official

China’s demand for oil will grow 6-8 pct this year, down from a 15.6 pct surge in 2004, said Xu Dingming, director general of the energy bureau at the National Development and Reform Commission.

‘This year demand will grow slightly by 6-8 pct,’ Xu said at a business conference in Beijing.

His estimation is in line with other economists’ forecasts.