China supports energy cooperation with foreign companies, says FM spokesman

The Chinese government has all along taken a positive view on energy cooperation with foreign countries, including those with its neighbors, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan in Beijing Thursday.

Kong made the remarks when commenting on the successful acquisition of Canada-based PetroKazakhstan Inc. (PK) by China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) through its wholly-owned subsidiary company Thursday morning.

Both the Chinese and Kazakstan governments have voiced their support for the cooperation between their energy companies based on equality and mutual benefit so as to achieve common progress and prosperity, he said.

PetroKazakhstan Inc. is an international energy company registered in Canada, with all of its assets, such as oilfields and refineries, in the Republic of Kazakhstan. PK's annual crude production capacity exceeds 7 million tons.

Since its first presence in Kazakhstan in 1997, CNPC has developed sound relationship with local government by strictly following local laws and regulations as well as international conventions of the industry.

Source: Xinhua