Russia's state-run oil giant Rosneft is to build hundreds of petrol stations in China as part of a plan to double its business in Asia.

The scheme is part of a joint venture between Rosneft and China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC).

Rosneft plans to build a joint refinery in China with CNPC.

Also as part of the deal, CNPC will extract crude oil from Russia's Eastern oil fields, and Rosneft will increase its crude exports to China.

Speaking at the opening ceremony for the Rosneft Asia Pacific office in Beijing, chief executive Sergei Bogdanchikov said his company would increase the amount of oil it sells to China by around 7 million tonnes to 20 million in 2007.

Russia is seeking to diversify its energy exports away from Europe and is already building two gas pipelines to China.

Mr Bogdanchikov said he estimated Rosneft's trade with China and other Asian states at over $10bn (£5.2bn).

Rosneft shares were floated earlier this year in Russia's biggest public offering.

The sale was highly controversial, coming in the wake of the Russian government's seizure of the oil assets of Rosneft rival Yukos. The oil production division of Yukos was then sold to Rosneft.