Across China: Beijing

Oil output falls short

Although China replaced Iran to rank as the No 4 biggest oil producer in 2009, domestic output can only meet half of the country's demand, reported the China Business News, citing official statistics.

A report posted on the website of the Ministry of Land and Resources said China's oil output in 2009 accounted for 5.4 percent of the world's total, following Russia, Saudi Arabia and the United States.