Guardian report prompts Taiwan to admit private imports of Russian light oil

Taipei, Oct. 2 (CNA) Taiwan's government responded Thursday to a Guardian report that named Taiwan the "world's biggest importer" of Russian naphtha, saying that although Taiwanese state enterprises no longer import the light oil, private companies do.

The Guardian, citing the Finland-based Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air, reported on Wednesday that Taiwan had imported US$4.9 billion of Russian naphtha since February 2022.

This represents 20 percent of Russia's total exports of the petroleum derivative used to make chemicals needed for Taiwan's semiconductor industry, the article by the U.K.-based media organization said.

The report also stated that Taiwan's imports of Russian naphtha in the first half of 2025 totaled US$1.3 billion, with monthly averages nearly six times higher than in 2022.

"Despite joining other sanctions against Russia, Taiwan, which is overwhelmingly reliant on imports for its energy needs, has not imposed restrictions on purchases of Russian fossil fuels," said the report by Amy Hawkins, the Guardian's senior China correspondent.

In a press release issued on Thursday, Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said that "all state-owned enterprises have stopped purchasing Russian crude oil and light oil products since 2023."

MOFA also said that Taiwan "has long cooperated closely with democratic allies to impose strict high-tech export controls on Russia," expanding its control list six times to cover "3,300 Russian entities."

Also on Thursday, Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) similarly stated in its own press release that "all state-owned enterprises stopped buying Russian petroleum starting in 2023."

However, the ministry noted that "light oil is not currently a controlled import item" and Taiwanese private companies are still purchasing light oil from Russia.

The MOEA said it will take a closer look at relevant regulatory content and communicate with Taiwanese industry.

According to the report published by the Center for Research on Energy and Clear Air titled "Dangerous dependence," Taiwan's total imports of the light oil "have not risen but the supply has shifted" away from sources including the United Arab Emirates and India.

"The rise in Russian imports is largely driven by the discount offered compared to other sources," the report said.

The report, which was published on Wednesday, named Formosa Petrochemical Corp. (FPCC) as "the largest known buyer of Russian naptha in the world."

"Continued purchases could compromise Taiwan's image and undermine diplomatic relations with strategic allies," the Finnish think tank report said.