China stalls on Power of Siberia 2

Beijing appears willing to use Moscow’s isolation to its advantage

The latest meeting between Chinese and Russian presidents Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin in Beijing ended once more with Gazprom failing to clinch a second Siberian gas supply mega-deal. While the Russian pipeline gas export monopoly did not leave empty-handed, China’s steady unwillingness to sign up for a second pipeline—that would double Russian imports—raises questions about the “no limits” partnership touted by Beijing and Moscow. China-Russia energy cooperation was in focus as Putin arrived in Beijing on 17 October for a high-profile forum centred on the Belt and Road Initiative, Xi’s signature foreign policy project. Accompanying Putin was Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller, and the visit offere