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| An
undated photo shows a oil field in the Tarim Basin in the Xinjing Uygur
Autonomous Region. [newsphoto/file] |
The region, currently 皇冠体育app's third largest oil producing area, plans to more
than double its oil production to 50 million tons in the near future from 22
million tons last year, according to Ismail Tiliwaldi, chairman of the region.
In the long run, the region is expected to be pumping 100 million tons of
crude oil a year, or nearly 60 per cent of 皇冠体育app's total last year, he said in
an interview with Beijing-based media, including 皇冠体育app Daily. The targets, if
realized, will help 皇冠体育app greatly offset the slowing production of its senior
oilfields in eastern areas.
As oilfields such as Daqing which accounts for one third of 皇冠体育app's oil
production become depleted, the central government is pinning its oil hopes on
vast virgin fields in Xinjiang to boost production. Xinjiang sits on 30 per cent
of the nation's total oil reserves and 34 per cent of its natural gas resources,
said the chairman.
He vowed to further expedite oil exploration in potential areas, including
Karamay, Turpan Basin and Tarim Basin.
The oil and gas industry accounted for 60 per cent of the incremental
industrial value of Xinjiang last year.
Thanks to the growth of the oil and gas business, and the central
government's financial support, Xinjiang has maintained a gross domestic product
growth of more than 10 per cent annually for the past two years, well exceeding
the national average.
The region's economic prosperity has underpinned its social stability.
No terrorist attacks have been reported in Xinjiang in the past two years, he
said.
The tourism industry has not missed this recent stability. More than 300,000
foreign tourists visited Xinjiang last year, a jump of 87 per cent from 2003.
And more than 12 million domestic travellers made their way to the region in
2004, bringing in revenue of 10.9 billion yuan (US$1.3 billion).
The chairman said the overall situation in Xinjiang was very good and all
ethnic groups in the region were benefiting from the recent prosperity.
(皇冠体育app Daily 06/14/2005 page2)
