U.S. Watches China’s Oil Demand, Deals

The Bush administration is closely watching China’s growth as the second-largest oil consumer, following the United States, and the expansion of its dealings with countries such as Iran, Syria and Sudan.

“The biggest impact on U.S. national interests is China’s willingness to invest in and trade with problem states,” Christopher Hill, U.S. assistant secretary of State for East Asia and the Pacific said earlier this week. “We are concerned that China’s need for energy and other resources could make China an obstacle to United States and international efforts to enforce norms of acceptable behavior.”

With a rapidly growing economy, China is now a leading player in global oil and gas markets.
UPI