Liu Guchang, Chinese ambassador to Russia met with Khristenko, Russian Minister of Industry and Energy on June 30, and the two sides discussed the matter of energy cooperation between China and Russia.

It conforms to the China-Russia strategic cooperative partnership to consolidate and expand the Sino-Russia energy cooperation, stated Ambassador Liu and it is also a practical requirement of the two countries' economic development. The Sino-Russian crude oil pipeline project has drawn extensive attention from various circles, and it is hoped that the Russian government will make an early decision.

The Russian government attaches great importance to the energy cooperation with China, Khristenko stated. Russia is a country that has the largest oil gas reserves and the strongest exploration capacity; China has a demand for oil gas, and is the most stable and extensive market. This is the most reliable foundation for launching energy cooperation between the two countries. Khristenko said that the construction of crude oil pipeline to China has been decided in Russia's energy strategies till the year 2020. Because of Russia's various internal factors, especially the problems like environmental protection, the plans formerly discussed for south and north lines were not adopted. After a great deal of proof work, the Russian side has basically affirmed that the pipeline plan from Tajshet to Nakhodka is feasible, and the Russian government will make a final decision in this autumn. Once the trunk pipeline is decided, Russia and China can conduct concrete negotiation on the matter of building the feeders to China.

By People's Daily Online