外媒傻眼：俄罗斯石脑油最大买家，居然是台湾

Core Insights - Taiwan has become the largest global buyer of Russian naphtha, importing billions of dollars worth since the onset of the Russia-Ukraine conflict [1][4] - The report indicates a significant increase in naphtha imports, with a 44% rise in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, reaching an average monthly import volume nearly six times that of 2022 [1] - The report highlights that Formosa Petrochemical Corporation is the main buyer, with its reliance on Russian naphtha increasing from 9% pre-conflict to approximately 90% in 2025 [1][4] Naphtha Imports - Taiwan imported $1.3 billion worth of Russian naphtha in the first half of 2024, with total imports since February 2022 estimated at 6.8 million tons valued at $4.9 billion, accounting for 20% of Russia's total naphtha exports [1] - Formosa Petrochemical's internal data suggests that Russian naphtha's share of imports will be around 60% in 2024 and 85% in 2025, differing from the report's claim of 90% [4] Coal Imports - The report notes a significant decrease in coal imports from Russia, with a 67% drop in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, although some private enterprises continue to purchase Russian coal [2] Market Dynamics - The increase in naphtha imports is attributed to market conditions, with Formosa Petrochemical stating that the rise in Russian naphtha sourcing is not a deliberate strategy but a result of supplier availability [4] - Analysts suggest that Taiwan's actions may be seen as opportunistic behavior within the petrochemical industry, rather than a direct political stance [5] Political Context - Despite Taiwan's public stance of sanctioning Russia, the reality of its energy imports raises questions about its credibility among allies [5][6] - The geopolitical implications of Taiwan's energy purchases are significant, as they contribute to Russia's revenue amidst ongoing sanctions from Western nations [4][5]