In other words, are we seeing here a real repositioning of the global geopolitical structure? I would guess not. The U.S.-Chinese contretemps over East Asian security is part of a long-term debate which will find its ultimate resolution by agreement between the parties concerned on a realistic basis. Russia has no real role in this region and does not at present seek one. China can defend her core interests against any conceivable Western incursion without relying on Russian help. Yes, a Sino-Russian axis within the UN Security Council (UNSC) is useful, but the importance of the UNSC has been declining in recent years and Russia will never be able to rely on China to pursue any interests but its own.

As for the gas deal itself? This deal has been under negotiation for more than 10 years; it was clear that it would actually come through at some point. The gas fields which will deliver the product -- Kovykta and Chayanda -- are situated in the Russian far east; they are not yet developed and probably would not have been until the deal was finalised. It is not as though China were competing with other countries for these resources; realistically, they could not have gone anywhere else. Yes, it is a good deal for China; this is the gas for which China has a large and growing need. It is clear from the information available that a lot of the fine detail has not yet been concluded. The assumption can only be that the price of the deal, which has held up negotiations for a very long time, has been decided very much to China's advantage. We shall have to wait and see, but the laws of economics would suggest as much.

As a result, I don't think the West has anything to worry about with this deal. China has secured a much-needed long-term supply agreement on very good terms. President Putin, who on the face of it has a great deal to be pleased about, has gained a triumph and saved Russia's face, but at the same time not seriously altered the balance of global power. There is no reason for anyone to criticise China for making a deal which was certain to happen anyway; surely it is the most natural thing in the world for a thinly-populated yet resource-rich country to sell resources to a densely populated and highly industrialised neighbour.

In sum, I am glad to see that this long-awaited deal has finally come through, and also glad to see that it has done nothing to disrupt or call into question the international strategic balance. China has moved towards a secure energy supply and Russia now has a secure income stream -- what's not to like?

The author is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit: http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/timcollard.htm

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn

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