China's largest two owners of liquefied natural gas, or LNG, terminals yesterday inked deals with Qatargas Operating Co for LNG importation. It is the first such deal between China and the world's top LNG exporter.
Qatargas will sell 2 million tons of LNG a year to China National Offshore Oil Corp, or CNOOC, currently China's sole LNG importer, starting next year, according to the agreement.
Qatargas and its partner Royal Dutch Shell will sell 3 million tons of LNG a year to PetroChina beginning in 2011.
CNOOC, China's third-largest oil company, also announced yesterday it will open 17 offshore blocks for joint oil exploration with foreign companies this year.
The two agreements were signed between the companies' chairmen at the Great Hall of the People yesterday, in the presence of Premier Wen Jiabao and visiting Qatari Prime Minister Shaikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabr Al-Thani.
The two countries also inked three memoranda of understanding to enhance energy cooperation between the two governments and relevant companies, and expand bilateral cultural cooperation between now and 2010.
During a one-hour talk ahead of the signing ceremony, Wen said energy cooperation between the two nations has recently made encouraging breakthroughs.
He expressed hopes that the two sides can expand cooperation on energy, infrastructure construction and other fields, including culture, education, media, aviation and tourism.
Qatar attaches great importance to Sino-Qatari relations, resolutely adheres to the One-China policy and wished Beijing a successful Olympics, Jabr Al-Thani said.
"China has held many large-scale activities splendidly before. I believe the Beijing Olympics will be as outstanding as previous events here," he said.
With this year marking the 20th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral ties, Jabr Al-Thani said Qatar would like to join hands with China to expand bilateral relations.
The Qatari prime minister arrived in Shanghai on Sunday for a weeklong official visit - the highest-level visit by a Qatari leader in seven years.
He was scheduled to travel to Hainan province this morning to meet President Hu Jintao and other foreign heads of state, and deliver a speech at the opening ceremony of the Boao Forum for Asia on Saturday afternoon.
Questions:
1. What two firms are the largest owners of liquefied natural gas terminals in China?
2. How many tons of LNG will Qatargas sell to China National Offshore Oil Corp every year?
3.This year marks what anniversary of China-Qatar bilateral relations?
Answers:
1. China National Offshore Oil Corp, or CNOOC, and PetroChina.
2. 2 million.
3. 20th.
（英語點津 Helen 編輯）
About the broadcaster:
Jonathan Stewart is a media and journalism expert from the United States with four years of experience as a writer and instructor. He accepted a foreign expert position with chinadaily.com.cn in June 2007 following the completion of his Master of Arts degree in International Relations and Comparative Politics.
