The world's largest natural gas producer and exporter - Gazprom on September 21 held a press conference in Beijing. Its deputy chairman of the board Medvedev said as the master plan to exploit east Siberia at the end of the year was approved the Sino-Russian natural gas pipeline project, which has been prepared for over ten years, will be finalized, reports the Beijing Times.

Medvedev said Gazprom of which the Russian government holds 51 percent shares has been designated the coordinator for the plan of integrated natural gas exploitation, transmission and supply system intended to study the feasibility of exporting natural gas to China and other Asia-Pacific countries. The Kovykta project aimed at exporting natural gas to China is also included in the plan.

The plan will be approved by the Russian government at the end of this year. Therefore the Sino-Russian natural gas pipeline project is hopeful to be finalized by the yearend.

Zeng Xingqiu, who acted as the chief representative for CNPC during the early negotiation, said the focus of the negotiation between the Chinese and Russian sides is how to secure Russian natural gas a better business mode in the Chinese market. Press official with the CNPC was unavailable for comment, says the Beijing Times.

By People's Daily Online