By Wei Liming & Ouyang Xiaohong
Published: 2007-11-21

The EO discovered that the illegal network had at one point transferred funds four times a day to Sinopec Shenzhen, totaling 370,114 yuan.

When contacted by the EO, Sinopec Shenzhen replied in an email dated November 15th, "The investigation is ongoing. We are giving our full support and cooperation to the investigating authorities. This is not a convenient time to entertain media interview request."

Fang Xingda has been taken over by PetroChina Shenzhen Oil Products Supply Company (hereafter as PetroChina Shenzhen) since July 2001. One manager from PetroChina Shenzhen who wishes to remain anonymous has confirmed that the company is being investigated.

The EO learned that both the Sinopec and PetroChina subsidiaries were dragged into the scandal due to oil products trading transactions with Hong Kong based clients.

Trouble from Hong Kong
The above anonymous manager recalls that about a year ago, a Hong Kong based company contacted PetroChina Shenzhen for oil
product purchases, "After confirming the company is a legally registered firm in Hong Kong, we reached an agreement. Subsequently, the company made numerous purchases at our Fang Xingda Gas Station."

In fact, it is common for Hong Kong-based companies to come to Shenzhen to source for oil products, as the island's oil prices include additional tax and are more expensive than the one in the mainland. The cheaper oil prices have also attracted Hong Kong motorists to flood gas stations in Shenzhen to top up their tanks.

PetroChina Shenzhen Gas Station in Fang Xingda is located at a strategic location frequented by Hong Kong motorists. The station, often lined with long queues, registers the highest sales record among eight outlets managed by PetroChina Shenzhen.

The local government does not prevent Hong Kong motorists from filling their tanks in Shenzhen, however, the Hong Kong custom treats the case as oil smuggling. Upon requests from Hong Kong clients, some mainland petrol stations add potassium permanganate into the oil to make it appears blue like the one sold in the island.

Active oil trading between the two places has allowed the illegal banking network to play a role. The anonymous manager from PetroChina Shenzhen explains that the company does not have the right to trade in foreign currency, adding that PetroChina also forbids companies under its banner to accept foreign currencies.

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