Fighting could delay Myanmar-China pipeline

A Myanmar official said that fighting in the north of the country is likely to delay the opening of an oil and gas pipeline to China, Reuters reported. “Technically the gas pipeline is ready, but I’m not just sure when the situation along its route will allow it to operate,” an anonymous official said. The pipeline is set to be completed by the end of May, said Li Zilin, vice chairman of South East Asia Gas Pipeline Company, a partnership of Chinese and Myanmar companies. The state military has clashed with ethnic minority fighters in the Shan and Kachin states in northern Myanmar.