OREANDA-NEWS. July 23, 2013. CNPC Chairman Zhou Jiping had an interview with Stephen Dhieu Dau, South Sudan’s minister of Petroleum and Mining in Beijing. The two sides compared notes on maintaining South Sudan’s crude production and furthering cooperation.

Stephen Dhieu Dau said that CNPC is the most important partner of South Sudan in the oil sector, with its oil and gas investments of great importance for strengthening all-around cooperation between the two countries. The governmentof South Sudan is committed to creating a good environment for foreign investment and establishing a long-term strategic partnership with CNPC. He hopes that CNPC steps up efforts to increase production, cultivate oil professionals, and support education and health care in South Sudan.

Zhou Jiping expressed that, under the agreement reached by all concerned parties, CNPC hopes to promote mutual trust trough practical cooperation, and maintain stable and safe operation of the oilfields. CNPC is willing to further oil and gas cooperation with South Sudan, continue to increase input in the local education and medical care programs, and make greater contribution to facilitate the economic and social development of South Sudan.

PetroChina Vice President Bo Qiliang and CNPC Deputy Chief Financial Officer Wen Qingshan were present at the meeting.