Russian state gas company Gazprom says China has started construction on a pipeline to bring Russian gas to China.

Gazprom said on June 2 that Beijing had begun its part of construction on the Power of Siberia pipeline last week.

Gazprom also said that talks on the so-called Western route that would connect operating fields with China were moving forward at a good pace.

Last year, Russia and China signed a $400 billion gas deal, which requires construction of the pipeline.

It requires $55 billion in investment for the Russian part only, including bringing new gas fields onstream.

Source: Radio Free Asia