Japan approves oil drilling, China protests (Agencies) Updated: 2005-07-14 17:11
TOKYO - Japan has given permission for the test-drilling of a
potentially lucrative gas field in the East China Sea contested with Beijing,
after talks on the dispute broke down amid deteriorating ties.
China
National Offshore Oil Corporation's (CNOOC) oil rigs in China's Bohai
Sea is seen in this photograph taken July 7, 2004.
[newsphoto/file] | China immediately protested the decision to let Teikoku Oil be the first
Japanese company to explore the waters in the East China Sea.
"In response to an application from Teikoku Oil, we have authorized the
company to be granted test drilling rights," Minister of Economy, Trade and
Industry Shoichi Nakagawa told a news conference.
Japan said in April that it would accept bids to drill in the region, ending
decades of hesitation over upsetting China. Relations between the two countries
have seriously deteriorated this year over how they remember World War II.
Teikoku Oil said it was notified it could explore three
areas covering a total of 400 square kilometers (155 square miles) in the
disputed sea area.
|
| | Special police detachment established in Xi'an | | | | | Panda cubs doing well in Wolong | | | | | Suspect arrested in Taiwan | | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Today's
Top News |
|
|
|
Top China
News |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|