Home>News Center>China
       
 

China should adjust its petroleum reserve strategy
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2005-05-25 19:10

China should adjust its oil reserve strategy by increasing planned oil reserves and establishing hinterland bases for future oil storage, said Associate Professor Cai Rongsheng with the Chinese People's University in an article published in Wednesday's Economic Daily.

Due to China's rocketing oil demand and imports, the country has found it urgent to establish its own strategic oil reserve to safeguard its energy security, Cai said.

At the end of the 1990s, China expected its pure annual petroleum import to hit 100 million tons by 2010, so it planned to set up a 25-million-ton oil reserve equivalent to 90 days of crude oil imports. But in 2004 China's petroleum import reached 123 million tons, Cai said.

"China needs to adjust its strategic petroleum reserve target according to real practice," he said.

The United States' petroleum strategic reserve is equivalent to 158 days of crude oil imports, Japan 161 days and Germany 127 days, according to Cai, suggesting China's oil reserves be raised in accordance with its rapid economic development.

China has decided to establish four coastal bases for strategic oil reserves in Zhejiang and Shandong in east China and Liaoning in northeast China. Cai suggested more hinterland reserve bases should be built in central and northeast China's oil fields so as to prevent earthquakes and fires.

Cai also suggested that China pass special laws on petroleum reserve establishment, and encourage private companies to participate in petroleum reserve work.

China should take an energy-saving approach through developing high-tech industries to reduce reliance on oil imports, he said. In 2004, 45 percent of China's oil consumption depended on imports.



 
  Today's Top News     Top China News
 

China-Japan ties soured by shrine visits

 

   
 

Lee: Futile to resist China's growing clout

 

   
 

Pentagon report: China an emerging rival

 

   
 

Tax drop helps farmers with rising income

 

   
 

Chinese bank wins approval for $2b IPO

 

   
 

South China factories short of workers

 

   
  South China factories short of workers
   
  Folk artists become key to cultural heritage
   
  Chengde colliery officials arrested
   
  Water cellars boost living conditions
   
  2 arrested for 6.5 million yuan fraud
   
  Fire destroys 800 hectares of forest
   
 
  Go to Another Section  
 
 
  Story Tools  
   
  News Talk  
  It is time to prepare for Beijing - 2008  
Advertisement