Beijing hosted yesterday a working meeting between Alexey Miller, Chairman of the Gazprom Management Committee and Zhou Jiping, Chairman of China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC). The meeting participants addressed the issues of Russian natural gas supply to the Chinese market via the eastern route. Both parties are interested in successful completion of the negotiations and looking forward to signing a contract as soon as possible.

The parties noted that the negotiations were progressing as per schedule and the contract would enter into force in accordance with the previously agreed Major Terms – till late 2014. It was suggested that the contract should be prepared for signing during Russian President's visit to China scheduled for this May.