China, Russia sign accord on gas route

Beijing - The leaders of China and Russia have signed agreements to boost their energy cooperation, including an understanding to develop a second major route to supply the Chinese side with Russian natural gas following an initial $400bn deal in May.

Presidents Xi Jinping of China and Vladimir Putin of Russia presided over the signing of several accords, which also included financing agreements, after meeting Sunday in the Chinese capital ahead of this week's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.

One of the memorandums of understanding is to develop a western route for the delivery of Russian gas, following the May agreement to supply 38 billion cubic meters of gas annually through an eastern route.