Nation edges toward ending State monopoly on oil

China is inching closer to ending the State monopoly in the oil sector after it allowed a Xinjiang-based private energy firm to import crude oil, industry sources said on Wednesday.

Guanghui Energy Co Ltd, the largest private firm in Xinjiang, with a wide range of businesses covering energy, vehicles and real estate, has got the green light from the State Council, China's cabinet, to import crude oil, the China Business News reported on Tuesday quoting an unnamed company official.

The energy firm, which is the only non State-owned company in China with upstream oil and gas assets, is also seeking oil exploration rights to fully enhance its oil production chain.