SHANGHAI, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Crude oil futures were higher Friday in early trading on the Shanghai International Energy Exchange.

The most active crude oil contract for May delivery was 1.2 yuan (0.18 U.S. dollars) up to open at 460.6 yuan a barrel.

China launched the crude oil futures trading in March 2018. It was the first futures variety on the Chinese mainland open to overseas investment.