Pakistan, March 5 -- China has instructed its largest oil refiners to suspend exports of diesel and gasoline as concerns grow over potential global energy shortages triggered by the escalating conflict in the Middle East, according to a report by Bloomberg News on Thursday.

The move comes as tensions in the region threaten vital energy supply routes, particularly the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping lane through which a significant portion of the world's oil passes. Ongoing disruptions in the strait have raised fears of a global supply crunch and volatile energy markets.

China, the world's largest crude oil importer, relies heavily on Middle Eastern supplies to meet its energy needs. According to data from analytics firm Kpler, ar...