China's diesel imports soared to 150,000 tonnes in October, preliminary customs data showed, a month when widespread fuel shortages gripped the country as refiners curbed processing.

Diesel exports were 40,000 tonnes, while gasoline exports were a low 180,000 tonnes, after government requests to the oil firms to keep markets well supplied.

The country also notched up another month of rare gasoline imports, which stood at 30,023 tonnes, the data showed.