China's oil demand in March increased by only 1.9 percent year-on-year to an average of 9.77 million barrels per day, to 41.31 million metric tons, which was the lowest since October, said the New York-based energy and metals information provider Platts on Thursday.

March oil demand dropped 4.2 percent from February. The figure was 9.76 million barrels per day last October.

China's oil demand averaged 10.15 million barrels per day in the first quarter, up 3.5 percent year-on-year.