ISTANBUL   Oil prices rose slightly Thursday in thin holiday trading, supported by demand hopes in China, the world’s biggest crude importer. International benchmark Brent crude rose 1.16% to $73.25 per barrel at 11.10 am local time (0810GMT), up from $73.13 at the close of the previous session. US benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) also edged up 0.24% to $70.1 per barrel from its prior session close of $69.93. Oil markets are seeing thin trading volumes due to the Christmas holiday.