Russia Says New Gas Export Projects to China Being 'Actively Advanced'

Russia and China are actively advancing new projects to export Russian natural gas to the Chinese market, according to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko, who said the two countries have built a robust energy relationship that continues to deepen each year.

Rudenko's comments point to continued efforts by Moscow to expand its energy trade with Beijing, a relationship that has taken on greater significance for Russia since Western sanctions curtailed its access to European energy markets following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

China has emerged as one of Russia's most important energy partners in recent years, purchasing substantial volumes of Russian oil and gas as Moscow has sought alternative markets. New pipeline and export infrastructure projects would further cement that trade relationship over the longer term.

Rudenko did not provide specific details on the scale, timeline or financing of the new projects in the comments reported. Russian officials have periodically discussed additional pipeline capacity to China, including previously announced projects, as part of Moscow's broader strategy of pivoting its energy exports toward Asian markets.