Securing Energy Flows from Central Asia to China and the Relevance of the Energy Charter Treaty to China

The report "Securing Energy Flows from Central Asia to China and the Relevance of the Energy Charter Treaty to China" was prepared by Mr. Zhuwei WANG, secondee from the National Energy Administration of China, in close cooperation with Energy Charter Secretariat experts.

The report analyses the current state of cooperation between China and Central Asian countries in the energy sector. Special attention is given to the benefits and relevance of the Energy Charter Treaty to China. The report is intended for use by China's policy makers defining the country's engagement in international cooperation.

The Energy Charter and China have a long-standing history of cooperation. The Energy Charter Treaty contains provisions on investment promotion and protection, trade and transit, energy efficiency and dispute settlement. The Treaty is legally binding and applicable to the entire energy value chain. It has the potential to improve China's energy cooperation with Central Asian countries, who are all ECT members, and mitigate potential political risks.

The report presents an argument that ECT membership would facilitate securing profitable, lasting relationships between China and the hydrocarbon-producing states of Central Asia. The Energy Charter Treaty with its vast membership, specialised legal instruments and institutions is the optimal platform for promoting regional energy cooperation and facilitating the implementation of transit infrastructure projects.

The full report "Securing Energy Flows from Central Asia to China and the Relevance of the Energy Charter Treaty to China" is available in English. The executive summary is also available in Chinese.