Hydrocarbon footprint: Russia ranks first in oil and gas exports to China

The Russian-Chinese partnership is exemplary, and the dialogue will develop regardless of the global situation. Moscow is currently the leader in energy supplies to China, and the trade turnover has exceeded $200 billion for the third year. Vladimir Putin said this on February 4 during talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, which took place via video link. The Chinese leader is confident that relations between the two countries are entering a new stage of development. For almost 1.5 hours, the leaders discussed the situation in the international arena, for example, relations with the United States and the START—3 treaty, which expires on February 5.

When will Putin visit China

The Russian president joined the conversation via video link from the Kremlin, and the Chinese leader from the People's Assembly House in Beijing. The negotiations at the beginning of the year have already become a good tradition for them, but it was in this meeting that Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping saw a special symbolism. On February 4, China celebrates the beginning of spring according to the lunar calendar.

— Such a symbolic day — according to the Chinese national calendar, today is the establishment of spring — Lichun, after which the frosts disappear, renewal begins and a new cycle begins in nature. And for Russian-Chinese relations, it's safe to say that any time of the year is spring," Vladimir Putin said.

Both leaders have repeatedly stated that relations between Moscow and Beijing are at the highest level in their entire history. For Xi Jinping, Russia has even become the most visited country as President of the People's Republic of China — he has come here more than 10 times. And not only to Moscow and St. Petersburg, but also to Ufa, Kazan, Vladivostok and Sochi. Vladimir Putin, however, is in the lead, with over 20 trips to the republic both as president and as prime minister. Xi Jinping once estimated that he had met with his Russian counterpart at least 40 times since 2013, when he became President of the People's Republic of China. Therefore, it is not surprising that the heads of state have considered each other friends for a long time.

A friendly atmosphere prevailed this time, even despite the format of the conversation. The leaders recalled past visits and agreed on new meetings. Following the talks, Russian Presidential aide Yuri Ushakov clarified that Xi Jinping had invited Vladimir Putin to pay an official visit to China in the first half of the year, and the Russian leader accepted the offer. Vladimir Putin is also ready to attend the APEC summit, which will be held in the republic in November. In addition, the heads of state plan to hold bilateral meetings during the SCO and BRICS summits, which will be held in Kyrgyzstan and India this year.

Energy cooperation between Russia and China

In total, the conversation lasted almost 1.5 hours. According to Vladimir Putin, the Russian-Chinese partnership is exemplary. Xi Jinping believes that relations between Moscow and Beijing have actually entered a new stage of development. This is confirmed by specific figures. For the third year in a row, the trade turnover has surpassed the landmark mark of $200 billion by a solid margin.

Russia retains its leadership in exporting energy resources to China, in particular, oil and pipeline gas. China ranks first among Russia's foreign trade partners. This trend is beneficial for both countries. Beijing, for example, helped Moscow to reorient all the consequences of the closure and narrowing of Western markets, explained Ekaterina Zaklyazminskaya, head of the Center for World Politics and Strategic Analysis at the ICSA RAS. And Russia has increased supplies to China in many areas: oil, gas, especially LNG, and coal.

— China provided us with some support, but it was not a gesture of goodwill. In recent years, he has also been under pressure from Western countries, and he needs a strategic rear and a supplier who is independent of Washington's position and will not pursue an anti-Chinese policy. And the Middle Eastern partners here are not so stable. Therefore, the situation with the growth of energy supplies is mutually beneficial," she told Izvestia.

The Power of Siberia–2 project, a main pipeline that is supposed to connect the gas fields of Western Siberia with China through the territory of Mongolia, remains on the agenda of bilateral relations. China needs it because the republic requires a large amount of gas for the fuel and energy complex and the chemical industry, said Kirill Kotkov, head of the Center for the Study of the Far East in St. Petersburg.

— But we must keep in mind that China is now making very active efforts to reduce its dependence on energy imports as much as possible. First of all, oil and gas. It has already become a leader in the production of wind turbines and solar panels. Although about 13-15 years ago, China was far from this. Thus, strategically, its dependence on energy resources such as oil, gas, and coal will decrease," he told Izvestia.

The parties are also engaged in an active dialogue in the field of peaceful atom and high-tech projects, including in industry and space exploration, Vladimir Putin added.

Experts suggest that in the closed part, issues of closer work between the military departments could also be discussed — this, in their opinion, is indicated, in particular, by the recent visit of Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu to China.

"One of the new joint plans that Xi Jinping hinted at is deeper coordination in the military sphere, since we have a lot of experience, and perhaps it will also be useful to the Chinese side,— Ekaterina Zaklyazminskaya emphasized.

What do the leaders of Russia and China think about partnership with the United States

The foreign policy relationship between Moscow and Beijing remains an important stabilizing factor in the face of increasing turbulence in the world, Vladimir Putin said. Moreover, Russian-Chinese relations will develop regardless of the international situation, he is confident.

"The successful holding of the SCO summit in Tianjin and the meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of Government in Moscow allows us to strengthen multilateral cooperation in order to continue our work to create a multipolar world and a more equitable and rational system of global governance," Xi Jinping confirmed.

According to Yuri Ushakov, the leaders thoroughly discussed the situation in the international arena. The approaches of Russia and China on the vast majority of issues are close or coincide.

The Russian president shared with the Chinese leader the latest news on the settlement of the Ukrainian conflict. Xi Jinping expressed support for the trilateral consultations between Russia, the United States and Ukraine in Abu Dhabi on February 4, which will continue on the 5th. In addition, the heads of state touched upon the situation around Iran, Venezuela and Cuba. Moscow and Beijing intend to maintain the established level of cooperation with Caracas — in early January, the United States abducted Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, as well as with Havana, which the Americans are now increasing pressure on.

Meanwhile, the approaches of the Russian Federation and China to working with the White House practically coincide, Yuri Ushakov noted. This, in particular, concerns the creation of a "Peace Council", which, first of all, should deal with the restoration of Gaza, the Russian presidential aide added.

— The leaders are aware of the ongoing contacts between our countries and the administration of Donald Trump. They see this as an opportunity," he said.

Moscow and Beijing are drawn closer by their common opposition to US attempts to preserve a unipolar world in which Washington acts as the hegemon. At the same time, the harsh policy of the Donald Trump administration towards China has not yet affected Russian-Chinese cooperation. According to Kirill Kotkov, Beijing and Moscow give no reason for serious friction to arise between them.

This applies in particular to strategic stability. The White House would like to involve China in a new agreement that will replace the Russian-American Strategic Offensive Reductions Treaty (START Treaty, which expires on February 5). Beijing does not support this idea, while Moscow understands China's approach, because its nuclear potential is seriously inferior to the capabilities of Russia and the United States.

At the same time, Moscow remains open to dialogue and the search for solutions to strategic stability, and will act in a balanced and responsible manner based on a thorough analysis of the situation, Yuri Ushakov added. It is noteworthy that, in fact, immediately after the conversation with Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping called American President Donald Trump, with whom, in addition to disagreements over trade relations, he probably could have raised issues of strategic stability.