China and Russia Deepen Power of Siberia 2 Pipeline Cooperation, Intensifying Energy Bloc Polarization

In the second quarter of 2024, China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) and Russia's Gazprom engaged in high-level talks to advance energy cooperation.

Against the backdrop of Western energy sanctions on Russia due to the war in Ukraine, China and Russia accelerated negotiations and implementation efforts for the "Power of Siberia 2" natural gas pipeline project. This project is intended to transport Russian gas to China via Mongolia. While details still need finalization, both sides publicly emphasized the cooperation's importance, framing it as a pillar of the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership. The move aims to secure alternative markets for Russian energy exports while ensuring diversification and security of China's energy supply.

This collaboration was interpreted internationally as a clear signal of China and Russia coalescing in the energy sector and resisting Western sanctions. From a conservative perspective, the deepening energy cooperation represents an alignment of authoritarian states to bolster their geopolitical positions and economic resilience. It aggravated the fragmentation of the global energy market, strengthening the divide between the Western-led bloc and the China-Russia centered axis. Furthermore, it cemented Asia, and particularly China, as a critical lifeline for Russian energy exports.