Sino-Russian gas deal nears completion

Beijing and Moscow are in the final phase of talks to create an agreement on exporting Russian natural gas to China, Russian President Vladimir Putin said, adding that ties between the two nations are at their all-time best.

"For Russia, implementing these agreements means diversifying gas supply destinations, while for our Chinese partners, ... it could be a remedy for energy shortages and help ecological security," he said.

"China is our reliable friend. To expand cooperation with China is undoubtedly Russia's diplomatic priority," Putin told Chinese reporters before attending the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia on Tuesday and Wednesday in Shanghai.