Foreign firms can gain from oil squeeze

China's escalating demand for crude oil to power its growing economy is attracting foreign investors. With the country planning to increase crude production to 170 million tons by the year 2000, oil reserves will be opened to greater foreign investment. China is expected to be a net importer in 1994, following a 1993 output increase of only 2.5% to 143.7 million tons. Declining reserves and logistical problems contributed to this dismal performance.