Russia and China look likely to team up on the development of an Arctic shipping route.
The South China Morning Post cited Russia's ambassador to Beijing, Andrey Denisov, as saying that talks were advanced over the supply of Russian gas to China through a route known as Power of Siberia Two (the "western" route).
“Almost everything has been completed so far but there is only one gap, which is the price,” Denisov said.
“Price is the final detail but a crucial one and it’s quite natural in the discussion between seller and buyer – the seller wants the price as high as possible but the buyer wants to pay as little as possible.”
He added: “China as a buyer needs gas and a reliable long-term source. Russia is definitely that kind of source.”
Work on Power of Siberia One, the "eastern route”, is expected to finish in December for gas exports to China.
Denisov said: “We need icebreakers. Russia is a unique country which possesses quite a number of icebreakers and has a very well-calculated and proven programme for the construction of new icebreakers in recent years.
“China has experience in building icebreakers and passing through the route too.”
