Sinopec's Nansha refinery to be built this year

Construction of a 10-million ton refinery and chemical complex joint venture (JV) between China-based China Petroleum and Chemical Corporation (Sinopec) and Kuwait Petroleum Corporation and other parties will start in Nansha, Guangdong province, this year. The Guangdong government has listed the JV as one of its 97 key projects scheduled for construction this year. The joint venture is expected to be built with a proposed investment of 50 billion yuan (US$7.34 billion) and go into operation in 2012. Its construction has drawn much concern from local citizens and experts because of environmental issues. As of now, the environmental impact assessment of the Nansha JV has not passed the national environmental standards, according to the Guangdong provincial Environmental Protection Department. (July 7, 2008)<BR>