ISLAMABAD: China’s Record High Imports of Key Energy Commodities from Russia Reflect Deepening Interdependence Amid Prolonged Ukraine Conflict.
China’s imports of essential energy commodities from Russia reached an all-time high last month, showcasing the deepening interdependence between the two countries amidst the prolonged Ukraine war, now entering its second year.
According to customs data from Thursday, China experienced a surge in imports of thermal and coking coal from Russia, reaching a record of 10.6 million tons in June. This amount surpassed the combined total from other major shippers to China, such as Indonesia and Mongolia.
Similarly, oil flows from Russia to China saw a significant increase. It is rising over 40% year-on-year to 10.5 million tons in the same month.
China’s role as a vital outlet for Moscow’s oil and coal exports has become evident, especially as Western buyers avoid shipments due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Despite the conflict and sanctions imposed by the US, China has maintained strong ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin and has refrained from joining the sanctions.
To facilitate the coal trade, Russia has ramped up transport along the trans-Baikal railway connecting to China’s border city Manzhouli in Inner Mongolia since mid-May. Moreover, there are plans for another railway route to northeast Mohe in Heilongjiang, as reported by the Chinese consultant GRCoal Research Institute.
