China is ready to give the nod to more energy production-sharing deals with international companies, after announcing officials had approved a shale gas exploration deal between China National Petroleum Corporation and Royal Dutch Shell plc.

"It is just the start, and many other foreign companies, like Total, are looking for government approval on other production-sharing contracts," said Che Changbo, the deputy director of the Oil and Gas Research Center under the Ministry of Land and Resources.

Che added the country is open to all kinds of participants in shale gas exploration.