Venezuela opens oil office in China
(AP)
Updated: 2005-08-21 08:34

CARACAS, Venezuela -- Venezuela's state oil company Petroleos de Venezuela S.A. will open an office in China in the coming days, the firm's first in Asia, officials said, AP reported.

The plan for an office in Beijing was announced Friday at the close of an investment conference held by the state oil company commonly known as PDVSA.

"We will open the office this coming week to handle all business relations with China," said Eulogio Del Pino, a PDVSA director.

Del Pino said the two countries will gradually do more business together and the office would be a good way to manage the growing workload.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has promoted a closer relationship with China, India and other Asian countries in an effort to secure new markets for oil aside from its current No. 1 buyer, the United States.

Chavez has clashed repeatedly with U.S. officials, saying U.S. "imperialism" is a threat to the world and new ways need to be found to move toward socialism and help the poor.

PDVSA also recently opened an office in Cuba, a close Venezuelan ally. Officials have said the Havana office will coordinate PDVSA's oil business in the Caribbean region.