Summary Box: Russia opens crude oil pipeline from Siberia to China; expanding energy ties

Summary Box: China-Russia crude pipeline starts up

OPEN FOR BUSINESS: Russia has opened its section of a crude oil pipeline from eastern Siberia to China, a major step in expanding energy cooperation between the neighboring powers.

THE PIPELINE: The 1,000-kilometer (625-mile) pipeline will connect Russian oil fields with Daqing, a major oil production base in northeastern China. The Chinese segment is still under construction but will begin operations before year-end. Eventually, the pipeline will provide 30 million tons of oil a year to China.

WHY IT MATTERS: Russia is the world’s biggest energy producer and China is the world’s largest energy consumer. Europe remains Russia’s largest export market for gas and oil, but both Beijing and Moscow have been seeking to diversify their energy sources and markets.