Ambassador says Moscow interested in settling US–China disputes

BEIJING, Dec 26 (PRIME) -- Moscow is interested in elimination of trade disputes between Washington and Beijing, because it is vital for stability of the Russia–China energy cooperation, Russian ambassador to China Andrei Denisov told reporters on Wednesday.

“Tectonic shifts are happening in global trade now, we even have the term ‘a trade war’ between China and the U.S., which calmed down a bit after agreements of the two countries’ leaders at the G20 summit in Argentina. Naturally, everyone is interested in the Chinese and the Americans reaching agreements, as ups and downs in trade have an impact on the whole world, including us,” he said.

Russia exports a lot of energy to China, and slowdown of the Chinese economy would undermine the demand. So far, China’s consumption has been growing, but global trade should be stable and predictable to allow for long-term planning, he said.

“We obviously want solutions of these disputes to be found, especially since they can be found if balanced approaches are applied,” Denisov said.

Denisov said that Russia and China are considering exports of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) not just from the Yamal Peninsula, but from the Sakhalin Island as well.

“There are also plans to deliver LNG to China not just from Yamal, but from Sakhalin as well. It may be delivered partially as LNG, as we may build a pipe in some time,” he said.

Natural pipeline gas is cheaper than LNG, but it can only be delivered if there is a strict long-term agreement at a fixed price, he said.

Denisov also said that Russian President Vladimir Putin will become the most important guest at China’s Belt and Road Forum in April 2019. The forum’s program is yet to be worked out, but around 40 heads of states and governments will visit it, he added.

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