Pipeline boosts energy security

China's energy supply security was strengthened further on Wednesday when a crude oil pipeline linking the country's southwest and Myanmar's coastal city of Kyaukpyu began operating.

On Friday, a 300,000-ton oil tanker will arrive at the deep-sea port of Maday Island in the city, which lies off Myanmar's western coast.

"The new pipeline will serve as an alternative route for China's crude oil imports from the Middle East, and will greatly save time on such crude deliveries," said Li Li, research and strategy director at ICIS-C1 Energy, a consultancy in Shanghai.