Russia’s Coal Exports to China Rise Sharply Through the Zabaikalsk-Manchuria Corridor
During the first six weeks of 2023, China significantly expanded its coal imports from Russia, with the Zabaikalsk-Manchuria border crossing serving as the primary conduit. The information was shared via the Telegram channel operated by the Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Harbin, highlighting a surge in energy supplies across the northern border region.
Officials noted that energy delivery from Russia to China surged by more than twofold in this period, totaling over 438,000 metric tons. In terms of rolling stock, Chinese buyers received roughly 6,200 rail wagons of coal from Russia, reinforcing the scale of the bilateral energy trade during January and early February.
The Consulate General pointed out that the coal coming from Russia is allocated for power generation across several key regions in northeast China. Specifically, provinces such as Heilongjiang and Jilin, along with Liaoning, and the eastern portion of the Inner Mongolia autonomous region, rely on this material to meet electricity demand and support regional economic activity. The trade appears to be closely tied to the seasonal and industrial needs of these energy-hungry zones, where steady coal supply helps stabilize power availability during cold months and rapid industrial cycles.
On February 8, the news outlet Kommersant cited data indicating that prices for coal exports from the Far East ports and the European side of Russia began to show signs of stabilization. The spread between thermal coal prices in Far Eastern ports and those in the European part of Russia narrowed as coal prices in Asia declined. This development suggests a shifting dynamic in regional coal pricing, with markets reassessing value as supply chains adapt to changing demand patterns across continents.
Earlier, Kommersant, referencing Alexei Shilo, who serves as Deputy Director General of Russian Railways, reported that coal shipments moving through the North-West ports started to recover toward the end of 2022. This rebound occurred in the context of European market isolation and the ensuing reorientation of rail corridors and logistics networks to accommodate shifting demand and alternative routes. The trend underscores how geopolitical and logistical factors can influence both the flow and pricing of coal across major trade routes, including those linking Russia and China.
Taken together, these developments illustrate a period of notable adjustment in the bilateral energy relationship. The rapid increase in exports to China via the eastern land bridge aligns with broader patterns of supplier diversification and market realignment that have characterized energy trade in the region over recent years. Observers note that the northeast provinces of China rely on reliable coal inputs to sustain power generation, industrial productivity, and regional stability during periods of peak demand. Analysts also observe that price movements reflect evolving expectations about supply resilience, transport costs, and the competitive positioning of different coal basins within Russia and neighboring markets. In this context, the Zabaikalsk-Manchuria corridor remains a critical artery for moving energy commodities toward one of Asia’s fastest-growing economies, reinforcing the interconnectedness of energy security, regional development, and cross-border commerce. Source attribution: Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Harbin; Kommersant reports cited for price and shipment context.