Shell (Zhejiang) Petroleum Trading Co., Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Shell China, has obtained the domestic oil products wholesale license from China's Ministry of Commerce, according to the report by Zhejiang Daily on Friday.

Shell operates 1,300 retail stations in China through joint ventures and sole proprietorships. The license will enable Shell China's Zhejiang branch to carry out purchases and sales of oil products for its customers independently in the Chinese market.

This is the first time for a wholly-owned foreign company to obtain the oil products wholesale licensee in China. It is a sign that China is attracting more international participation and increasing the competitiveness of its wholesale market.

(Compiled by Xiao Xuetong)