Myanmar to China natural gas pipeline now operational

Will help growth in China’s underdeveloped western region.

China reported that natural gas has started flowing through a pipeline from Myanmar. The 793 km pipeline extends from Kyaukpyu on Myanmar's west coast to southwest China at Ruili. It will be able to carry 12 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually.

A parallel oil pipeline with a capacity of 22 million tonnes per year is also part of the project.

The natural gas pipeline diversifies China's sources of fuel by supplying energy to the vast and economically less developed west and could help China’s attempts to promote growth in this restive region.

Communist Party media described the pipeline as another breakthrough in China's strategy of energy diversification and has obvious significance in reducing China's dependence on the Strait of Malacca for the import of oil and natural gas.