China to build new oil, gas pipeline across Myanmar
Thursday, 20 November 2008
BEIJING, Nov 19 (BSS/AFP) - China has revived a plan to build an oil and gas line across Myanmar in a bid to reduce its dependence on energy supplies transported through the Strait of Malacca, state media reported today.
Work is expected to kick off in the first half of 2009, the China Daily newspaper reported of the project, which could trigger new worries about Beijing's ties with the Myanmar junta, an international pariah.
It is one of a series of large energy and infrastructure projects to be undertaken in southwest China's Yunnan province, the paper said, citing Mi Dongsheng, head of the provincial economic planning agency.
The China-Myanmar pipeline had already been announced by Yunnan officials.
Work is expected to kick off in the first half of 2009, the China Daily newspaper reported of the project, which could trigger new worries about Beijing's ties with the Myanmar junta, an international pariah.
It is one of a series of large energy and infrastructure projects to be undertaken in southwest China's Yunnan province, the paper said, citing Mi Dongsheng, head of the provincial economic planning agency.
The China-Myanmar pipeline had already been announced by Yunnan officials.