拉丁美洲——中国新的石油伙伴?

Latin America-China’s new oil friend?

中国的原油进口在最近的十年里一直保持强劲的增长（2001年除外）。就在最近的2008年,中国原油进口总量攀升到17890万吨,同比增长9.6%。而随着中国石油贸易的繁荣,进口石油的来源更加多样化,拉丁美洲——这个距离中国遥远的大陆, 也开始成为中国重要的石油来源地。

Chinese crude oil imports have grown strongly in every year of this decade barring 2001.Most recently,2008 saw 9.6% g r o w t h in t o ta l C h i n e s e i m p o r t s(including noneaborne),to 178.9mt.As trade has grown,imports have had to b e s o u r c e d f r o m m o r e d i s t a n t destinations,and Latin America has emerged as a significant oil exporter to China.However,looking at the here and now,projecting full year 2009 imports,based on a simple annualization of Q1 figures,suggests that,with Chinese overall crude oil imports declining,Latin America’s share may now actually be contracting.If Latin America is to become a major source for Chinese oil imports in the long-term it will have to convince importers that it can continue to compete with China’s old friends,not only when Chinese demand is rising but also when it falls.