Friends gather to open gas line

SAMAN-DEPE, Turkmenistan: Valiant blood-sweating horses, Turkmenistan's national emblem, performing in an equestrian show. Hundreds of costumed folk artists playing their country's traditional music.

The treasures of this Central Asian country were presented with gracious hospitality at the ceremony held at Saman-Depe to inaugurate the official opening of the China-Central Asia gas pipeline.

The scene was more of a gathering of friends rather than an official and commercial event.