(Yicai Global) Jan. 31 -- British Petroleum has partnered Chinese refiner Dongming Petrochemical Group to open its first gas station in the eastern province of Shandong.

BP has launched its first newly-branded station through a joint venture with Dongming, the Shandong-based firm said in a statement.

The move is part of BP's plans to open 1,000 stations in China within five years.

The station, located in provincial capital Jinan is the first nationally to provide fast-charging for electric vehicles.

"The Chinese market is crucial to BP's development of downstream businesses, the new gas station will be the first BP site to provide comprehensive services," said Tufan Erginbilgic, chief executive of BP Downstream.

The gas station also provides customers with freshly made Wild Bean branded coffee and delivery services, as well as free wifi.

BP and Dongming Petrochemical formed a JV last February to launch high-end branded refined oil retail and convenience stores in Shandong, Henan and Hebei provinces. BP holds a 49 percent stake in the joint venture, while Dongming Petrochemical holds remainder.

China removed longstanding restrictions on gas station operations last June that had prevented foreign players from running networks of more than 30 stations.

BP partners state-backed oil companies China Petroleum and China Petroleum & Chemical in Guangzhou and Zhejiang provinces where it runs more than 740 dual-branded stations. Combined daily sales exceed 15 million liters of gasoline and diesel.

Editor: William Clegg