The U.S. and Brazilian governments also have made significant progress in providing joint technical assistance to El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Senegal in their efforts to strengthen policy frameworks, implement blending laws, and develop domestic production capabilities.

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"If we only rely on domestic resources to develop the animal-husbandry industry, China's grain production will face challenges, and there will be more serious environmental pollution problems, " Mr. Li said.

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That means drillers would have to find and develop another 5 million barrels per day of domestic oil, while continuing to fight declining production from older fields.

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