URUMQI, June 20 (Xinhuanet) -- China will step up efforts in exploiting the gas and oil resources in northwest Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, turning it into the country's largest oil and gas production base, said Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan recently.

    The oil and gas industry in Xinjiang has witnessed fast development in the past few years, with large oilfields emerging one after another, said Zeng in a recent tour of the region.

    Now it is time to explore the region's full potential, in order to fuel the country's fast economic development, he said.

    Zeng said China will target the Tarim, Junggar and Tuha Basinsto discover some large oilfields and gasfields

    In the next five to ten years, we expect to turn the region into China's biggest oil and gas supplier, said Zeng.

    He said China will also speed-up the building of pipelines, power grids, railways and highways in Xinjiang to accompany the growth of the local oil and gas industry.

    Zeng stressed China will push forward market reform of oil and gas prices. Enditem