China's crude oil imports hit a record high in the first half of 2016 despite an economic slowdown,and analysts largely attributed the surge to low prices,not strategic maneuvering.The country imported 186.5 million tons of crude oil in the first half of the year,23.15 million tons more than the same period of last year,although imports in June slowed to 30.62 million tons from a peak of 32 million tons per month in March,April and May.