When oil price reform began, domestic prices were higher than the global rate. Why weren't Chinese prices adjusted to match the global rates? It was to protect the the oil giants' interests.  From March to May 2006, domestic processed oil prices increased twice as global crude rocketed to ＄70 per barrel. The combined increments resulted in a price of 800 yuan per ton. However, when the global rate dropped to ＄55 per barrel earlier this year, domestic processed oil prices were only lowered by ＄220 per ton. 
This is an unacceptable method of meeting international standards. When will the government place consumer interests above those of the oil giants? Why should the consumers pay to protect the oil giants' interests?

We heard that a price hike would benefit energy conservation. China imports over 100 million tons of oil, comprising 40 percent of the nation's total oil consumption. Raising the bar on price structure to a reasonable extent would promote the cultivation of a conservation-oriented society. But in a competition-free market, who is charged of establishing reasonable prices?

Based on the price reform formula, the price of processed oil is comprised of the combined oil cost, refinery costs, and a reasonable margin. That’s fair enough, but what is the benchmark for assessing effective production costs and reasonable profit margins? When personnel at these enterprises enjoy high salaries and benefits, is the cost absorbed into the reform scheme? Is that reasonable?  We support the need for the domestic oil price to match the  international standard and the call for energy conservation. But consumers would be hard-pressed to accept the price hikes if these well-intentioned reasons become excuses for oil giants to engage in profiteering.