State council to make Xinjiang largest oil and gas base

Xinjiang will become the largest oil and gas processing base in China by 2020, according to the latest document released by the State Council. In order to facilitate economic development of the region, Xinjiang is expected to become China’s resource gateway to the world. Oil production in Xinjiang reached more than 24 million tons last year, which makes it the third largest oil producer in China. Wang Lequan, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Secretary of CPC Xinjiang Committee, said Xinjiang is accelerating the pace of oil exploration in Tarim, Tuniu and Tuha. (October 8, 2007)