(Yicai Global) May 14 -- Chinese energy giant Sinopec will join hands with raw materials processor Hongda Xingye to build filling stations for gasoline, natural gas and hydrogen in the country's western autonomous region of Inner Mongolia.

Hongda will provide technical support for hydrogen production, storage and transportation, as well as filling equipment at Sinopec's 381 stations in the region, the Jiangsu province-based firm said in a statement. 

Wuhai Chemical, a Hongda affiliate, runs a chloralkali production plant able to provide hydrogen which it produces as a byproduct. The firm's first hydrogen fueling station entered operations in the region recently and can be used by cars, buses and industrial vehicles.

The affiliate is also building another seven hydrogen fueling stations in the local area, as well as China's first civil hydrogen liquefaction plant, aimed at supplying hydrogen for the whole country.