China increased its crude oil imports from Russia in September, defying US efforts to curb reliance on Russian energy, reported Hong Kong's South China Morning Post.

Customs data showed a 4.3 per cent month-on-month rise to 8.29 million tonnes, making Russia China's top supplier.

Russian oil accounted for 17.5 per cent of China's total crude imports last month. Imports from the US remain suspended since June, though American oil previously made up only a small portion of China's supply.

Economist Intelligence Unit's Xu Tianchen said the increase may signal China's resistance ahead of upcoming trade talks with the US. He suggested China is unlikely to reduce Russian oil purchases unless tariffs and sanctions are lifted.

Despite the monthly rise, Russian oil imports were down 4.3 per cent year-on-year. China also recorded a 1.9 per cent annual increase in liquefied natural gas imports from Russia, reflecting deepening energy ties.

US President Donald Trump said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had agreed to halt Russian oil purchases and warned China would be next. He threatened "massive" tariffs on India if trade continued.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Japanese Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato that Washington expects Tokyo to end Russian energy imports. He confirmed US-China delegations will meet in Malaysia this week for trade talks.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian defended the country's energy cooperation with Russia, calling US actions "unilateral bullying and economic coercion" that risk disrupting global supply chains.

China also expanded its supplier base, with September crude imports from Indonesia surging 73-fold year-on-year and Brazilian shipments rising 156 per