The first Russian-Chinese energy business forum is successfully finished in Beijing. The format of the event was established in July 2018, upon instruction of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping. 
Representatives of about 90 companies from the energy, financial and IT sectors, political and public figures, diplomats and experts from Russia and China took part in the Forum. The business agenda of the Forum featured panel discussions on key matters of the Russian-Chinese energy cooperation. The parties discussed measures on expanding of the joint project portfolio, attracting of investments, and developing of digital technology in the fuel and energy industry. Over 50 bilateral meetings were held and over 20 agreements between energy majors of the two countries were signed at the Forum.
The Forum attendees also discussed the possibilities of expanding of the bilateral energy cooperation of Russia and China in various business areas. The event was concluded with a joint statement presenting the key goals of the Forum, including the following: to create a favourable investment climate; to exchange suggestions on most prospective projects; to attract investments to joint projects; to develop the conditions required for implementation of the scientific engineering potential; to prepare suggestions on improvement of the industry policy and bilateral cooperation mechanisms in the industry.
The Forum will be held annually. Russia is hosting it in 2019. In his speech, Executive Secretary of the Presidential Commission for Strategic Development of the Fuel and Energy Sector and Environmental Security Igor Sechin noted that the event brought together executives of the largest enterprises in the industry and almost every person in charge of decision-making on the energy development in Russia and in China.
“Today, we have a beautiful opportunity to create the middle-term and long-term agenda of the Russian-Chinese energy dialogue,” he concluded.