China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC)'s bid for US Unocal Corp. is essentially a normal business action and on no account should it be affected by political factors, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao on Thursday.

"Though the parties concerned look at the issue from strategic or political perspectives, the bid is a business action between companies and fall within normal trade exchanges between China and the United States," Liu told a regular press conference.

"It should not be affected by political issues," Liu added.

US Treasury Secretary John Snow said Tuesday again that the Bush government will review the takeover deal between CNOOC Ltd. and the US oil company from the country's national security considerations.

CNOOC Ltd., China's largest offshore oil and gas producer, made a merger proposal to Unocal Corp. on June 23, offering to acquire all outstanding shares of Unocal for 67 US dollars per share in cash or a total of 18.5 billion US dollars in cash.

China's energy issue will be based on its domestic supply and its ability to resolve energy shortage by itself, said Liu in response to a question concerning China's energy strategy.

China will make itself an energy-saving society while going on exploring more energy at home, said the spokesman, adding that China will also work with the relevant countries, regions or organizations to conduct cooperation in energy field, which constitutes an important component part in international trade cooperation.

Source: Xinhua