Energy cooperation key to bilateral trade boom

Deeper energy sector cooperation between China and Russia is expected to drive the development of foreign trade between the two countries, industry analysts said.

With the second line of the China-Russia oil pipeline entering commercial operation in January last year, four Russian VVER-1200 nuclear reactors to be built and more imports of liquefied natural gas from the Yamal project in Russia's resource-rich Arctic region, the two sides are expected to set record highs in bilateral economic trade this year.

Trade between Russia and China soared by nearly 30 percent to a record $107.06 billion last year, according to China's General Administration of Customs.