Last pipe welded for China's west-east gas pipeline project

The last pipe of China's landmark project to pump natural gas from the resource-rich west to the energy-thirsty east was welded Tuesday morning, according to sources with China National Petroleum Corporation.

Trial operation of the pipeline, which runs more than 4,000 kilometers, is scheduled for Oct. 1, with formal operation slated for Jan. 1 next year, according to the company which oversees the construction of the project.