CHINA has offered a near open cheque book to Africa's major oil producers in a bid to guarantee supplies for decades to come.
It has offered $US30 billion ($A33 billion) to Nigeria and is negotiating for stakes in oilfields in Ghana and Angola.
China's thirst for oil is expected to be a major topic at the Forum on China-Africa Co-operation, when Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao meets African leaders and ministers in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh from tomorrow.
Nigeria, the world's eighth-largest producer, appears to be resisting China's approach to buy a sixth of its proven reserves.
Sydney Morning Herald
