2023-05-30 03:25:00
China is considered a potentially important buyer for Russian gas exports. But a pipeline to the east that is important for Putin is still a mystery.
Beijing/Moscow – The West repeatedly imposes new sanctions in the Ukraine war. But Russia and China have repeatedly emphasized their economic and political partnership in recent months. However, Beijing is also sending alarming signals to Vladimir Putin.
This has recently become visible again and again with the help of a construction project that has been talked about for a good decade: It is about the “Power of Siberia 2” pipeline, which is to lead to China via Siberia and Mongolia. That was probably also on the agenda last week during a visit by Russia’s Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin to Beijing. But because China apparently still does not consider the project to be ready for a decision, the result of the meeting was probably somewhat sobering for Russia. This was reported last Financial Times.
Russia under pressure: Difficult to compensate for the loss of European markets
If things go according to the plans of Russia and the state gas export company Gazprom, several new pipelines would soon be pumping Russian gas eastwards. The largest of the planned new systems is the “Power of Siberia 2”, also reports the news channel ntv. This is important above all because it would connect China with oil fields that existed before Ukraine war mainly supplied gas for Europe.
Many direct connections to the East begin with gas fields that have never worked for Europe – and can therefore only indirectly replace the collapsed demand of European countries. Russia can only partially cover them with opaque trade routes and ongoing trade connections with individual EU countries. But during Wladimir Putin the pipeline has been raised again and again, the Chinese government is wrapping itself up Xi Jinping in silence.
Russia and China: experts express forecasts
That has gotten loud Financial Times now also repeated during Mishustin’s visit. He was again unable to bring a clear yes to the new gas connection between China and Russia. Experts interpret the reluctance as a demonstration of China’s trading position. The Financial Times A China expert at the think tank European Council on Foreign Relations, Alicja Bachulska, said that Chinese hesitation could be aimed at reducing China’s participation in the construction costs. Gergely Molnar of the International Energy Agency, an energy-focused research platform, goes so far as to predict that China will continue to rely on multiple gas suppliers and has no plans to become dependent in any way.
Meanwhile, China and Russia did use Mishustin’s state visit to sign bilateral agreements in other areas. This was reported by the British Guardian. Among the sectors in which the two states in future decided on new partnerships, include general trade relations, agricultural exports and cooperation on sports issues. (saka)
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