China hoped to increase cooperation with Kuwait in the petroleum sector, Vice Premier Li Keqiang said Tuesday in a meeting with Kuwait's oil minister.

"We hope that our countries can expand cooperation in oil exploration, refining, processing and trade," Li told Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah of Kuwait, one of the world's oil-producing giants.

Kuwait possesses rich oil and gas resources, and China's demand has great potential to grow. "There is great promise for further energy cooperation," Li said.

Facing the challenges of the financial crisis and weak international energy demand, China and Kuwait should cooperate more in the area of energy. "This is a wise act from a long-term, strategic perspective," he noted.

Such cooperation was also in line with the common interests of both nations and the two peoples, Li said.

Sheikh Ahmad said Kuwait was ready to strengthen broad cooperation with China in energy resources.

The minister said he hoped the two countries would make substantial progress in major cooperation projects.

(Xinhua News Agency April 29, 2009)