The Chinese ambassador announced a plan to negotiate with the Russian Federation on an increase in gas purchases in 2025.

China intends to negotiate with Russia on gas supplies via the Power of Siberia-2 gas pipeline or increase purchases of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in 2025. Chinese Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui told reporters on April 15 on the sidelines of the Eurasian Oil and Gas Forum.

"Gas supply from Russia through Kazakhstan is not possible because there is only one gas pipeline there, and it is overcrowded. If we transport Russian gas via this route, we will have to build a new [gas pipeline]. It's expensive," Interfax quoted him as saying.

The Chinese ambassador added that China therefore intends to negotiate a transit route through Mongolia or to increase LNG supplies.

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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on February 14 that China was buying gas from Russia in order to meet the needs of the Chinese people. He stressed that no other country would be able to supply enough gas.

On January 21, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced at talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping that Russia ranks first in terms of natural gas and oil supplies to China. China is the largest consumer of Russian energy resources.