Energy Policy and Major Energy Projects from 1991 to 2011

Abstract

The history of Sino-Russian relations had to be taken into account before the following analysis of energy relations, because the two countries’ “historically developed mutual distrust and lack of understanding contributed to commitment fears in both countries“ (Downs 2010:146). As for the importance of energy policy for the two countries’ current relations, it is noteworthy that the RF’s foreign policy is indeed dominated by the energy sector. Regarding China, the preeminence of energy diplomacy in the PRC’s broader foreign policy strategy can be seen in the current scientific debate in Chinese language journals (Wesner/Braun 2006:1).