Abstract
Are we witnessing tentative steps towards an energy partnership or energy community in Northeast Asia? Is such an energy partnership possible? This article traces and analyzes recent dialogue, negotiations, agreements and proposed projects for energy cooperation among Russia, China, Japan, and South Korea. It addresses the implications of China’s growing energy demand and implications of Russia’s attempts to move from a lost position as a political and military superpower to an energy superpower.
The article concludes that reports of competition over Russian energy resources among Japan, China, and South Korea are exaggerated and that there is much opportunity for cooperation among these countries. However, a failure to devise and articulate clear and long-term national energy security policies and strategies, particularly by Russia, may lead to the closing of this window of opportunity for cooperation.
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