'Strategic outlook needed' for gas talks

BEIJING - Negotiations on China-Russian natural gas cooperation need a strategic outlook to ensure a breakthrough in the upcoming rounds of talks, according to analysts.

Talks between Russian gas giant Gazprom and China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) have lasted for five years without reaching a final agreement, deadlocked by differences over pricing, sources said.

Russian news agency Interfax reported that Deputy Head of Gazprom Alexander Medvedev will visit Beijing this week for another round of negotiations with CNPC.