China's imports are reshaping the global aluminium market

This time around the world's COVID-19 surplus is sitting at Asian locations within easy shipping distance of China, particularly Malaysia's Port Klang. (File pic shows aluminium stock at Port Klang, Malaysi. - The Star

LONDON: China imported a further 158,000 tonnes of primary aluminium in June, bringing the half-year tally to 744,000 tonnes.

When the world's largest producer started tapping the international market-place early last year, it appeared to be a temporary blip caused by China's rapid bounce-back from lockdown.