The construction of a 4.000 km long pipeline to transport natural gas from western China (Tarim oil field in Xinjiang) to the east (Shanghai) is one of the ten most important technological advances in China in 2004.

The Xinjiang Autonomous Region is China's largest natural gas reserve with 229 billion m3. The gas pipeline links this western region with coastal towns where energy demand is very high. More than a real technological advance, the construction of the pipeline is part of the campaign for the development of the regions of western China led by the government.

Sources: Academy of Sciences of China,
http://english.cas.cn/eng2003/news/detailnewsb.asp?InfoNo=25329