Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin sits down for talks with his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao today in the northern Russian city of St. Petersburg.
Russian officials say 11 agreements, ranging from oil supplies to border issues will be signed during Wen's visit to Russia.
China is looking for a cheaper price for Russian gas, with the two sides reportedly apart by about $100 per cubic meters.
Putin has called for boosting sales of natural resources to China, the world's fastest growing major economy.
Next year, Russia is due to begin shipping oil to China via the new Eastern Siberia-Pacific Ocean pipeline, but there is still no Russian gas pipeline to China.
Gazprom signed a preliminary agreement to build a gas pipeline -- known as the Altai gas pipeline -- from Siberia to China's western border with Russia in 2006.
The project, however, has been held up by differences over cost.
compiled from agency reports
Russian officials say 11 agreements, ranging from oil supplies to border issues will be signed during Wen's visit to Russia.
China is looking for a cheaper price for Russian gas, with the two sides reportedly apart by about $100 per cubic meters.
Putin has called for boosting sales of natural resources to China, the world's fastest growing major economy.
Next year, Russia is due to begin shipping oil to China via the new Eastern Siberia-Pacific Ocean pipeline, but there is still no Russian gas pipeline to China.
Gazprom signed a preliminary agreement to build a gas pipeline -- known as the Altai gas pipeline -- from Siberia to China's western border with Russia in 2006.
The project, however, has been held up by differences over cost.
compiled from agency reports