China Kicks Off Construction Of World's Longest Natural Gas Pipeline

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SHENZHEN (Xinhua) -- China started construction of the eastern segment of the country’s second West-East natural gas pipeline in Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province on Saturday. Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang attended the kick-off ceremony announced the start of the construction. The pipeline, the second after the first West-East natural gas transfer project, will cross 15 regions and carry 30 billion cubic meters of natural gas every year to Zhejiang, Shanghai, Guangdong and Hong Kong, among others.

When visiting the construction site, Li said the pipeline under construction is the country’s most expensive energy project in decades and the world’s longest natural gas pipeline. It is of great importance to ensuring China’s energy security, coordinating regional economic development, deepening the ties between Hong Kong and inland provinces and promoting economic growth.

The 8,704 km pipeline will be made up of one trunk line and eight sub-lines. Construction of the west segment of the pipeline was started in February 2008 and is expected to be completed by the end of the year. The whole line will be operational by the end of 2011.

As China battles the financial crisis and expands its domestic demand, the second West-East gas pipeline project is a landmark project that will boost people’s confidence to overcome the crisis, said an official with the National Development and Reform Commission.

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