Recent data showed that China’s imports of crude oil from Russia in August increased by 28 percent compared to their level a year ago, but Saudi Arabia returned to the top of its suppliers for the first time in four months.

Data from China’s General Administration of Customs showed that Russian oil imports, including supplies pumped through the East Siberia-Pacific pipeline and seaborne shipments from Russia’s ports in Europe and the Far East, totaled 8.342 million tons.

August imports, equivalent to 1.96 million barrels per day, were slightly lower than the May record level of about two million barrels per day. China is the largest buyer of Russian oil.

Imports from Russia rose as independent Chinese refiners ramped up their purchases of discounted Russian supplies that outpaced competing shipments from West Africa and Brazil.