Sino-Japan firms to seek natural gas co-op.

(From Business Daily Update)

Author: y Japanese trading house Sumitomo Corphas held discussions with China's New Hope Group about distributing natural gas to Chinese cities, it has been revealed. But no agreement was cemented for the time being. "We have been in touch with New Hope on natural gas co-operation," said Lu Dagang, assistant to the general manager of Sumitomo Corp (China) Holding. "But we haven't entered into any agreement." There have been reports that New Hope, Sumitomo and Hong Kong-based China Gas have signed agreements to establish a joint venture to distribute natural gas to a batch of Chinese cities. However, analysts say Sumitomo's move signals its …