API Offers 30% Expansion of Membership
Less than a year after opening its first overseas office in Beijing to promote cooperation and information exchange between US and Chinese oil and gas industries, American Petroleum Institute (API) plans to increase Chinese membership by over 30% from 800.
About a decade ago, only 12 Chinese enterprises had API certification. That number increased to 293 in 2004, and this year, more than 800 enterprises had become full-fledged members with about 300 are in the process of joining.
Since the year 2006 when Chinese membership exceeded that of all other countries including the US, Chinese oil and gas firms have been attaching greater importance to the global market and come to recognize the value of API’s globalized trade standards. And domestic oil manufacturers have been enthusiastic about obtaining product certification through the association, which demonstrates the industry’s growing internationalization.
China now plays an increasingly important role in today’s global petrochemical industry. In the overseas market, the Chinese oil industry is gaining a greater voice as its firms seek development and expansion in overseas market. Furthermore, many Chinese members in the association have been engaged in determining industry standards at API conferences in the US.
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