The Chinese do not give "Gazprom" the money for the construction of the "Power of Siberia".

The question of the advance payment to "Gazprom" under the contract with China's CNPC is hung in the air, Alexander Medvedev, the deputy chairman of the company, stated (quoted by "Interfax"), but there is no need for the advance payment. The advance payment could be a tool for China to reduce the price of gas because of the current customs duty regime, he continued, the advance payment may be beneficial for both sides, but there is nothing critical in the use or non-use of the advance payment, so "Gazprom" has already begun the construction of the pipeline ["The Power of Siberia" to supply gas to China]. "

Medvedev did not mention how the advance payment was linked to the duty, and the representative of "Gazprom" declined to comment.