On May 11, a temporary checkpoint was officially open at the cross-border section of Eastern Route of the Russia-China Gas Pipeline in Blagoveshchensky district of the Amur Region, Russia. CNPC Vice President Wang Dongjin and Deputy Chairman of the Gazprom Management Committee Vitaly Markelov attended the inauguration ceremony and delivered speeches respectively.
The opening of the temporary checkpoint for operating personnel and construction equipment will greatly facilitate the pipeline crossing project under the Amur River. The two-string underwater crossing which connects the Russian section of the pipeline with China's gas transmission system is EPC contracted by CNPC affiliated CPP, involving the construction of two 1,139m-long tunnels with the inside diameter of 2.44 meters each.
The Eastern Route of Russia-China Gas Pipeline is expected to see its delivery gradually increase to 38 billion cubic meters per year after it becomes operational. The pipeline will help promote eco-social development of local areas, and play a crucial role in diversifying energy strategies and guaranteeing energy security of the two countries.