Russia becomes China's second largest importer of helium gas China mainly imports oil, pipeline natural gas, liquefied natural gas, coal, and fuel oil from Russia, accounting for more than 70% of China's total imports from Russia. The role of energy trade as a "ballast stone" in bilateral trade is further highlighted. In addition, there is another important and scarce strategic resource that is considered irreplaceable and related to national security and the development of high-tech industries, which is helium gas. Gazprom President Miller has stated that the Amur Gas Processing Plant, once put into operation, will become the world's largest helium production plant, producing 30% of the helium reserves sold on the world market. According to data from the gas circle, China's total helium imports in 2023 were 4117 tons. Starting from the fourth quarter, Russia has become China's second largest helium importer. In June 2023, Russia completed and put into operation a helium production plant in Irkutsk Oblast, with an annual output of approximately 7.5 million cubic meters. With bilateral trade reaching new highs, the breadth and depth of investment in the gas industry between China and Russia continue to expand. On April 17-19, 2024 China International Gas Industry Expo (2024 Gas Expo) will be opened in the Taihu Lake International Expo Center, Wuxi, Jiangsu Province. As an important part of 2024 Gas Expo, the "the Belt and Road" Economic and Trade Cooperation Forum for China and Russia's gas industry will be held at the same time.
Policy support for enterprises going abroad Given the current tense situation in Russia, the governments of various Russian states have provided numerous trade preferential policies and introduced preferential policies such as providing subsidies to investors, allowing investors to participate in national project procurement, and strictly protecting investor rights to attract investment. This is undoubtedly the best time for Chinese enterprises and investors planning to expand into the Russian market. At the same time, in order to accelerate the pace of Chinese enterprises going global, multiple departments in China continue to optimize and improve management mechanisms such as export tax refunds, making policy support the "source of power" for enterprises to explore overseas markets. The 2024 China International Gas Industry Expo (CIIE) actively builds a one-stop, innovative, and international exhibition platform that integrates brand display, technical exchange, trade cooperation, publicity and promotion, international discussions, and other functions, to help Chinese gas enterprises go global and help global orders gather in China.
