The pipeline is planned to have a capacity of 30bn cum/yr, and is due to come on stream in 2010.
The pipeline will transport gas from central Asian countries including Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan, and connect with the planned Central Asian gas pipeline.
In August, CNPC said it has set up a work group for the formation of the Central Asia Gas Pipeline Co, in confirmation that it has officially launched the Sino-Turkmenistan gas co-operation project. CNPC signed agreements on 17 July to import 30bn cum/yr of gas over the next 30 years from Turkmenistan, via the planned Central Asia Gas Pipeline.