China hopes to enhance understanding with the United States in energy exploitation, said a senior official with the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) on Wednesday.

Responding to criticism by the United States of China's exploitation of petroleum in Africa, in particular Sudan, Zhang Yuqing, deputy director of the Energy Bureau of the NDRC, said cooperation with African countries in energy resources is mutually beneficial.

Speaking ahead of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), Zhang said, "If we aren't allowed to go to this place or that place, then where should we go?"

He said that Chinese companies wanted to cooperate with American companies in the United States but the state-owned China National Offshore Oil Company (CNOOC) Ltd. was forced to withdraw a bid for major US oil company Unocal after strong opposition from the United States.

China has always opened its door to other countries and many US companies have invested in energy in China, which accounts for more than 60 percent of the overall foreign investment in this field, Zhang said.

He said China and the United States should enhance communication and understanding, and contribute to the development of the oil industry.

China imported 38.34 million tons of crude oil from Africa in 2005, accounting for 30 percent of its oil imports.

By the end of 2005, China had invested in 27 major oil and natural gas projects in 14 African countries, including Sudan, Algeria, Angola and Nigeria.

Official figures show that the country imported 126.82 million tons of crude oil in 2005.

Four African countries, namely, Angola, Sudan, Congo and Equatorial Guinea, were among the top 10 oil exporters to China in 2005.

FOCAC is a mechanism for collective dialogue and cooperation jointly established by China and Africa to cope with new challenges and facilitate common development.

Since the launch of the FOCAC in 2000, two ministerial conferences have been held in Beijing and Addis Ababa.

(Xinhua News Agency October 19, 2006)