China National Petroleum Corp and China Petrochemical Corp had their licenses to sell and store crude oil renewed after a government review prompted by increased international access to the nation's markets.

Three new companies were granted oil-product wholesale licenses, the Ministry of Commerce in Beijing said in a statement on its Website yesterday, while one had its license withdrawn. Qinghuangdao Port Group Co, Rizhao Seashore Petroleum Corp and Gucheng Country Thermo Power Energy Supply Corp won oil-product storage licenses, according to the statement. Beijing Yanfang Petrochemical Corp lost its license to conduct oil-product wholesaling.

(Shanghai Daily September 25, 2007)