Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –
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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News
Moscow, March 12 (Xinhua) — China will retain its status as the main buyer of Russian oil for a long time, and other Asian countries will increasingly open themselves up to Russian purchases. Alexey Maslov, Director of the Institute of Asian and African Countries at Moscow State University (IAACMSU), expressed this opinion in an interview with Xinhua.
“China will remain the main buyer of Russian oil for a long time, but other Asian countries will increasingly open up to Russian purchases,” he said.
According to A. Maslov, a very significant portion of oil exports goes to China. "Our oil pipeline is working well. I think it's already close to its maximum capacity. But we can expand both the flow rate and the pressure to handle more volume. Russia is ready to do this," the expert noted.
According to a Xinhua source, not only Russia, but also Kazakhstan, is ready to increase oil supplies to China.
Speaking about maritime security, he pointed to the problem of the arrest of vessels belonging to Russia's "shadow fleet." "I think it's important for Russia, China, and other countries to launch a joint initiative to protect the fleet, because this isn't a matter of money. It's a matter of industrial functioning. It's a matter of people's lives," the Russian expert emphasized.
Commenting on the disruption to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, through which 60 to 90 percent of goods shipped to Asia pass, A. Maslov called for the development of alternative energy supply routes. "The standard route has failed; it's under attack. Perhaps it makes sense to develop new routes," noted the director of the Institute of Asian and Asian Studies at Moscow State University.
In his opinion, the initiative to build new pipelines should come from the Asian countries themselves. "The initiative should come from China, India, and other countries. Building new pipelines, for example through Xinjiang or through the Far East near Manchuria, is a solution for many countries," the expert stated.
The risk of energy supply disruptions will not disappear and may recur, A. Maslov added. "Therefore, energy infrastructure must be absolutely secure," he concluded.
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