China courts Russia, Kazakhstan in hunt for oil

Chinese President Hu Jintao heads to neighbors Russia and Kazakhstan this week with hopes of securing access to more crude oil and gas to fuel his country’s booming but import-dependent economy.

Last year China met less than 60 percent of its oil needs with domestic production, and it has cast a hungry eye toward the reserves of both countries as it seeks to cut its reliance on the distant and U.S.-influenced Middle East.