Russia and China to discuss energy cooperation

Russia and China are to discuss exports of Russian electric energy in China, Russian Industry and Energy Minister Viktor Khristenko said in Beijing's airport. He arrived in the Chinese capital to participate in the 6th session of the Russian-Chinese sub-commission for energy cooperation.
“We are to consider joint projects in Russian electric energy supplies in China's western regions,” Mr Khristenko noted.

According to the Russian minister, the development of Siberian energy aims to solve problems of the Russian Far East and make this region less isolated. Speaking about Russian-Chinese gas cooperation, Viktor Khristenko said that it had prospects in the future.
At the moment he does not want to discuss any practical projects of Russian-Chinese gas cooperation. On the one hand, there is unsuccessful West-East project and, on the other, hand the program of development of Siberian and Far-Eastern gas fields to be accomplished by the end of the year, Mr Khristenko said.

"Gazprom coordinating this program is to accomplish it soon and submit to the government," the Russian minister reported. "This program will be the basis of practical projects," he added.
Commenting on Gazprom's failure in the West-East project, the Industry and Energy Minister said that it was caused by an insufficient level of the gas market development in China.
"These are objective problems," he noted.

The 6th session of the Russian-Chinese sub-commission for energy cooperation is held as part of the work of the commission for regular contacts between the Russian and Chinese Prime Ministers. Sessions of the working groups for oil, gas and electric energy will be held.
Moreover, Viktor Khristenko is to meet with Ma Kai, chairman of the Chinese state development and reform commission. A joint protocol is to be signed following the meeting.