RUSSIA AND CHINA. ENERGY COOPERATION AT THE PRESENT STAGE

The article considers joint economic projects of Russia and China in the oil and gas and electric power spheres in the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries, analyzes the role of thоse projects in ensuring regional energy security of the two countries, explores the significance and prospects of energy interaction for them, with special attention paid to the most significant investment issues. The main objective of the study is to identify and assess the historical and economic factors that condition Russian-Chinese relations in the energy sphere, to describe Russian and Chinese mutual interests not only in oil and gas, but also in the field of renewable (especially wind and hydrogen) energetics, and to compare the nature and directions of cooperation between the Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China in the above areas. Moving towards the set goals, the author analyzes the contractual and legal basis of energy interaction between the two countries and shows that the signed contracts and agreements not only serve the strategic interests of Russia and China, but in the conditions of strengthening Western sanctions against the Russian Federation, cooperation and implementation of mutual energy projects are becoming especially important. In the author’s opinion, the study shows: the growing Chinese demand for traditional energy, the high potential of both countries in the field of alternative energetics and the high level of general technical cooperation between them are the key to a sustainable strategic partnership not only at the present stage, but also in the future.