Chavez says Venezuela, China to boost energy ties

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
President Hugo Chavez said Sunday that Venezuela will sign accords aimed at increasing the amount of oil it sells to China. The socialist president has sought to diversify oil sales beyond the United States, which still purchases the largest share of Venezuela's oil despite years of political tensions. The deals with China include plans to both build a refinery and start a joint oil project in the crude-rich Orinoco River belt, and to construct oil tankers, Chavez said on his weekly radio and TV broadcast. He did not give specifics of the accords, which are to be finalized this week when he visits Beijing. Venezuela also will help build a refinery in China to handle Venezuelan crude, Chavez said. The countries have previously agreed to build a total of three refineries in China.