China's crude oil dependency reached alarming levels last year with more than half of the country's total oil consumption coming from abroad, latest official statistics show.

Figures from the General Administration of Customs show imported oil in December hit a record 21.3 million tons, pushing the country's total oil imports last year to 204 million tons.

Imported crude oil accounted for 52 percent of the country's total oil consumption last year, experts said. Importing more than 50 percent is a globally recognized energy security alert level.