Three major Chinese oil firms are expected to invest more than 10 billion yuan, or 1.2 billion US dollars, in the next six years in the western Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

China National Petroleum, China Petrochemical and China Sinochem aim to turn the Xinjiang Autonomous Region into a major petrochemical production base.

China National Petroleum, which is the parent of PetroChina, is already operating five refining and petrochemical projects in the region. 

(CRI June 4, 2004)