On November 23, supported by MOFCOM, National Energy Administration and Shanghai Municipal Peoples’ Government, MOFCOM Foreign Trade Development Bureau hosted the 6th China International Oil and Gas Trade Congress in Shanghai. Vice Minister of Commerce Wang Shouwen attended the opening ceremony and made a speech.

Wang pointed out that the successfully held 19th CPC National Congress has painted the grand blueprint of securing a decisive victory in building a moderately prosperous society in all respects and striving for the great success of socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era, and it has made a significant deployment for our economic and social development. The new era needs a new look as well as new accomplishments. According to the deployment of the Central Party Committee and the State Council, MOFCOM has actively promoted the structural reform of crude oil import. A multi-subject, orderly-competition and energetic crude oil import operation system is formed preliminarily, which has innovated and developed the crude oil trading management. At present, 17 eligible regional oil refining enterprises have acquired the import qualification of the crude oil of non-state-owned trade. China’s private enterprises start to become the active and important participants in international oil trade.
Wang stressed that we should combine the features and trends of the global energy market and build consensus in order to promote the energy cooperation along the Belt and Road line. We should grasp the key points and implement new development ideas. We should strengthen cooperation and jointly safeguard the stability of the global energy market.

Wang said that China would hold the first China International Import Expo (CIIE) in 2018 and build a mutually beneficial cooperation platform for all countries. We welcome people from the world industrial and commercial circles to attend the Expo and seek opportunities in the Chinese market to expand common interests and realize common development.

The theme of this Congress is “ Reform, Innovation and Opportunity—International Oil and Gas Trade Cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative”. Attending were near 300 people from some world-famous oil companies, trade and shipping enterprises, financial and information agencies and academic research institutions from 16 countries and regions.