China has broken the historic grip of Western oil companies in Abu Dhabi, the Persian Gulf state with some of the world's largest crude oil and gas reserves.



State-owned China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) has agreed a landmark deal with the sheikdom's government to help exploit energy resources in a move that will send a warning signal to the likes of Royal Dutch Shell, BP and ExxonMobil over a shift in strategy from one of the Middle East's largest producers towards Asia.



Abu Dhabi, the most influential member of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), holds about 98bn barrels of proven oil reserves and is an important member of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries.