Singapore, July 25 -- As Brent crude surged past the $100-per-barrel mark amid renewed geopolitical tensions in West Asia, China's decision to rely on its vast strategic oil reserves instead of aggressively purchasing crude has helped prevent even sharper spikes in global prices, according to June Goh, Senior Oil Market Analyst at Sparta Commodities.

Speaking to ANI, Goh said China entered the current crisis with an exceptionally strong strategic petroleum reserve position, enabling it to keep its economy running without significantly increasing purchases from the spot market.

"So China started the war in the best possible position, with very high strategic petroleum reserves on hand. I think the quota number was around 1.17 billion bar...