In 2023-2024, China actively exported components for drone production to the Russian Federation worth $63 million. Among the goods received by Russia were aviation engines, microchips, metal alloys, camera lenses, fiberglass, emulsion binders for fiberglass, and carbon fiber threads. These components are crucial for the development of the Russian drone industry.
This is reported by Finway
Gas Agreements and Prospects for “Power of Siberia-2”
During a recent visit by the President of Russia to Beijing, the Russian Federation announced agreements to increase gas exports to China and plans to build a new gas pipeline, “Power of Siberia-2.” However, the Chinese side has not yet officially confirmed plans for the construction of this pipeline. Experts emphasize that the signed memorandum between the countries does not contain clearly defined prices and timelines, and therefore, it is not a final agreement. Currently, the discussion is only about expanding gas supplies along existing routes – “Power of Siberia-1” (an increase of 6 billion cubic meters) and the Far Eastern route (an additional +2 billion cubic meters).
China has only signaled interest and readiness for negotiations on the price and terms regarding “Power of Siberia-2.”
Resource Issues and Gazprom’s Monopoly
According to experts from the Russian Institute of Energy and Finance, the fulfillment of new obligations for gas supply to China is currently not supported by sufficient resources from Gazprom itself. To fulfill the contract, the company will have to purchase gas from other Russian producers – such as Rosneft, Surgutneftegas, and Irkutsk Oil Company. This means that Gazprom is effectively losing its status as the sole exporter of pipeline gas from Russia.