COMMUNIST CHINA'S PETROLEUM SITUATION
Abstract
Available data are given on the production, imports, and consumption of petroleum in Communist China in 1949-60. Prospects of expanding indigenous production and reducing dependence on imports from the Soviet Union are discussed. Some findings are Communist China's output of crude oil increased by more than ten times in the past decade; the petroleum industry has made extremely rapid progress, but the absolute level of production still falls short of meeting domestic demand. In 1960, about one-half of the total supply of major petroleum products came from the Soviet Union, but this proportion is steadily declining. Total supply in absolute terms -- some 5 million tons in 1960 -- is still very small for an economy of China's size; in per-capita terms it is miniscule by the standard of developed economies. Clearly, this is one area in which Soviet trade policy could have serious consequences for China's future petroleum development. A cut in Soviet exports of petroleum and equipment would leave China in a position where current and near-future domestic supplies of petroleum would be insufficient to meet expected, or even normal, demand. Consequences of such action are discussed. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1962
- Accession Number
- AD0276532
Entities
People
- K.c. Yeh
Organizations
- RAND Corporation