Construction is progressing on a planned Far Eastern route to supply Russian natural gas to China, Beijing’s ambassador to Moscow, Zhang Hanhui, said in remarks published by Russia’s RIA news agency. The project will connect Russia’s Pacific coast to China through a new branch linked to the Sakhalin–Khabarovsk–Vladivostok pipeline system. Gas exports via the route are scheduled to begin in 2027, with initial volumes of 2 billion cubic metres per year, rising to 12 bcm annually at a later stage.
Russia already supplies gas to China through the Power of Siberia pipeline, which began operations in 2019 and has a design capacity of 38 bcm per year. The Far Eastern route would add a new supply corridor, expanding the infrastructure underpinning bilateral energy cooperation.
Why It Matters
The project highlights Russia’s accelerating shift toward Asian energy markets as Western sanctions following its 2022 invasion of Ukraine sharply reduced gas exports to Europe. For Moscow, expanding pipeline capacity to China is central to offsetting lost European demand and securing long-term buyers for its gas. For Beijing, the route strengthens energy security by diversifying supply sources and increasing access to overland gas imports less exposed to maritime disruptions.
The progress also underscores the strategic depth of the Russia–China partnership, with energy acting as a stabilising pillar of ties at a time when both countries face strained relations with the West.
Key stakeholders include Russia’s government and gas exporters seeking to monetise stranded resources, and Chinese state energy firms focused on securing reliable, long-term supplies. Regional authorities in Russia’s Far East stand to benefit from infrastructure investment, while Western governments monitoring Moscow’s sanctions evasion efforts will closely watch the project’s development.
What’s Next
Attention will turn to construction milestones and final commercial terms ahead of the planned 2027 start date. Analysts will also watch whether additional capacity expansions follow, potentially deepening China’s role as Russia’s primary gas export market as Europe continues to move away from Russian energy.
With information from Reuters.
