New gas pipeline announced

The primary plan for a second West-East natural gas pipeline was announced yesterday, state media reported. The 8,794 km gas pipeline will consist of one major line and eight sub-lines, and is projected to cost US$19.8 billion. The major line will measure 4,945 km, running from Khorgos in the northwestern Xinjiang region to Guangzhou, capital of the southern Guangdong province, passing through 11 other regions en route. Construction begins this year and the pipeline will be operational by 2010. The pipeline will carry natural gas from Central Asia and Xinjiang to the energy-hungry southern and eastern provinces, including Shanghai and Shenzhen. The first West-East Pipeline, which connected Xinjiang to the eastern Yangtze River Delta region, was completed in 2004.