East section of second Sichuan-to-East gas transmission pipeline construction in full swing

The east section of the second Sichuan-to-East gas transmission pipeline, a major energy infrastructure project under China's 14th National Five-Year Plan (2021-2025), is now in full-scale construction.

The second Sichuan-to-East gas transmission pipeline spans 4,269 kilometers, passing through eight provinces and municipalities, including Sichuan, Chongqing, Hubei, Anhui, and Zhejiang.

The project is divided into two sections: the west section (Sichuan-Chongqing-Hubei) and the east section (Hubei-Henan-Jiangxi-Anhui-Zhejiang-Fujian).

"The construction of the west section began in 2023, and we are now fully advancing the east section. As of now, the Weiyuan-Tongliang segment of the west section has completed 220 kilometers of welding, with overall progress exceeding 70 percent. The entire second Sichuan-to-East gas transmission pipeline is expected to be fully operational by 2027," said Zhao Shi, deputy general manager of construction project management company under PipeChina.

The east section, totaling 2,698 kilometers, includes one main line, two connecting lines, and three branch lines, with a design pressure of 10 megapascals and an annual transmission capacity of 14 billion cubic meters.

During the construction of east section with most of the pipeline passing through mountainous areas, new technologies and domestically produced equipment are being widely used to enhance quality, efficiency, safety, and environmental protection.

"To ensure welding quality and adapt to the mountainous terrain, we are using flexible internal welding machines. For areas requiring mountain crossings, we are employing tunnel shield construction technology to minimize environmental impact," Zhao said.

Once fully operational, the second Sichuan-to-East gas transmission pipeline will integrate with the existing Sichuan-East gas pipeline, increasing annual gas transmission capacity by 14 billion cubic meters.

The combined system will have an annual transmission capacity of 26 billion cubic meters, ensuring smooth gas transportation from the Sichuan Basin and enabling flexible resource allocation across the region.

East section of second Sichuan-to-East gas transmission pipeline construction in full swing

The Global Mayors Dialogue opened in Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province on Tuesday, bringing together mayors and senior city officials from across Europe, Asia, and North America to have in-depth exchanges on practical approaches to developing the ice and snow economy.

Held under the theme "Connecting the World with Ice and Snow, Win-Win Cooperation for a Shared Future", the three-day event gathered mayors, deputy mayors, and mayoral representatives from cities across the globe, including Canada, Finland, Germany, Greece, the Republic of Korea, Thailand, and Türkiye, focusing on the ice and snow economy, cultural integration, smart city development, heritage preservation, and urban governance.

The event featured a main dialogue and a scenario-based dialogue salon to foster in-depth exchanges and spark new ideas. Guests are invited to visit iconic sites such as the Harbin Ice and Snow World and attend the opening ceremony and trade events of the Harbin Ice and Snow Economy Expo, which are showcasing Harbin's achievements in building an ice and snow economy brand, strengthening international exchanges and cooperation, and inheriting ice and snow culture.

Harbin, called China's "ice city", has turned its long, cold winters into a major tourist attraction. Last winter, it welcomed a record 90.36 million visitors, generating 137.22 billion yuan (about 19.44 billion U.S. dollars) in revenue, a year-on-year increase of 16.6 percent.

International mayors gather in Harbin to explore ice and snow economy