Published by: THE WORLD UYGHUR NETWORK NEWS May 20, 1997

Beijing Zhongguo Xinwen She, 05/16/97

Urumqi, May 16 (CNS) -- A long distance pipeline to transport natural

gas between Piqan and Urumqi in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has

been completed and is now operational. This is the first large

diameter, long distance pipeline in western China. Construction of the

301.6 kilometre pipeline began in September 1995 and cost RMB 480

million. The natural gas will be the raw material for two fertiliser

plants operated by the Urumqi Petro-Chemical Industry Plant and, in

Urumqi, its supply will be for domestic consumption. The pipeline can

also help to accelerate economic development in the region, and will be

of great significance to agricultural development, as well as to

environmental protection in urban areas of the region.