IN BRIEF (Page 14)

Oil demand slowing

China's apparent oil demand is expected to expand 3.8 percent this year, slower than in 2008, the National Energy Administration said.

Annual growth in the apparent consumption of crude oil is likely to slow to 3.9 percent from 5.1 percent in 2008, while net crude imports and net oil imports are expected to grow by 6.2 percent and 5.3 percent respectively, the agency predicted.