The Chinese section of the Eastern Russia-China Natural Gas Pipeline, one of China's key energy projects, has been fully completed and is now entering the final stage of preparation before official operation, China Oil and Gas Piping Network Corporation (PipeChina) announced on Monday.
The cross-border pipeline is a landmark project in Russia-China energy cooperation. The section in China stretches over 5,000 kilometers, from Heihe, a city in northeastern Heilongjiang Province bordering Russia, to Shanghai in east China. It is also one of China's four strategic oil and gas import channels.
In China, the pipeline construction is divided into three phases - the northern, middle, and southern sections. The recent completed section is the southern section, which spans 1,509 kilometers.
"In 2020, construction of the (Chinese) southern section of the Eastern Russia-China Natural Gas Pipeline began. By optimizing tunneling methods and using 18-meter extended pipes, we sped up progress across all segments. The entire southern section was completed seven months ahead of schedule, paving the way for the smooth connection and operation of the whole pipeline," said Cui Zong, a project manager at PipeChina.
Currently, the Eastern Russia-China Natural Gas Pipeline is being gradually put into operation in China, section by section. To date, more than 78 billion cubic meters of natural gas have been transferred through the channel.
The construction of the pipeline's southern section faced challenges due to the need to cross many large rivers and roads. To address these problems, PipeChina used advanced high-strength steel pipes and fully automated welding technology, better advancing the project in difficult natural conditions.
"Due to the complex construction conditions and the requirement for large-diameter and thick pipes, we used advanced welding technology and specialized equipment. Except for certain critical joints, which used semi-automatic methods, the entire southern section was welded using fully automated processes. All of the welds achieve a pass rate of over 98 percent on the first try," said Cui.
The Eastern Russia-China Natural Gas Pipeline is China's first to use 1,422 mm super-large diameter pipes made of X80 high-strength steel and 12 MPa high-pressure grade steel. It also uses advanced technologies like fully automated welding, automatic ultrasonic testing, and mechanized anti-corrosion patching, which have improved welding quality and construction efficiency.
Construction of China's key natural gas pipeline project completed
Macao has been emerging as a global hub for conventions and exhibitions in recent years by exploring the enormous opportunities in the sector, driving the region to advance its economic diversification and embrace a brighter future.
Macao has received many awards this year, such as the Best Convention City (Asia) and the Best BT-MICE City, showcasing the recognition for and influence of Macao's exhibition industry.
More than 1,000 electronic game enthusiasts from all over the world gathered recently in Macao to participate in a esports themed event.
Su Zhili, organizer of the event, said that Macao's rich experience in hosting large-scale events, coupled with its good infrastructure, has driven him to choose the region as an ideal destination to hold such an activity.
"Macao has held many similar large-scale events. It has rich experience, and the facilities at the venue are relatively mature, so we can start our work comfortably," said Su.
During the first three quarters of 2024, Macao held more than 1,000 conferences and exhibitions in total.
"We will invite more professional, special conferences to be held in Macao and also cultivate more exhibition brands with international influence in Macao, so as to promote Macao's exhibitions to be more market-oriented, professional, international, digital and greener from various aspects. This is our goal," said Elaine Wong, member of the Macao Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute.
In addition, multiple large exhibitions and conferences, such as the Macao International Trade and Investment fair, the Macao Franchise Expo, and the International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum, are held regularly in Macao.
With the introduction of a series of policies and measures to facilitate the exchanges between the mainland and Macao, as well as the construction and development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, Macao's convention and exhibition industry will embrace more opportunities for development in the foreseeable future.
"We have such a good industrial base in the Greater Bay Area. The mode of 'Convention and Exhibition + Industry' not only integrates the industries of Macao, but also the industries of the Greater Bay Area. In addition, Macao actively integrates into the national development and plays a role in the Belt and Road. Why are we so confident in Macao's convention and exhibition sector? Because it is backed by the motherland, and the country gives Macao great support," said Alan Ho, chairman of the Macao Association of Convention, Exhibition and Tourism Sectors.
Macao emerges as global hub for conventions and exhibitions, driving economic diversification and international recognition
