Russia secures 22% share of China’s energy supply

At the 8th Russia-China Energy Business Forum in Vladivostok, Rosneft Chairman Igor Sechin highlighted the deepening energy ties between Russia and China. Russia has maintained its position as China’s largest energy supplier, accounting for a 22% share of China’s total energy supply.

In the first seven months of 2026, trade volume between the two nations increased by 26% annually, with Russian energy resources making up over 60% of Russia’s exports to China. Russia has been China’s top crude oil supplier for four consecutive years, with annual deliveries exceeding 100 million tons. During the first seven months of 2026, deliveries reached 67 million tons, raising Russia’s share of China’s oil imports to 23%.

Sechin estimated that China has gained approximately $27 billion in economic benefits since 2022 by purchasing Russian oil under more efficient conditions compared to Middle Eastern alternatives. Russia also remains China’s largest natural gas supplier; by the end of 2025, Russian gas accounted for roughly 30% of China’s total natural gas imports, including 47% of pipeline gas and 14% of LNG. Cooperation is expected to expand into nuclear energy, critical minerals, and alternative logistics.