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Reuters

China and Myanmar have reached an agreement on an oil pipeline after almost a decade of talks, with the project due to start “very quickly”, Chinese vice-foreign minister Liu Zhenmin said on Monday.
The new oil gateway fits with China’s “One Belt, One Road” ambitions, linking it with central Asia and Europe, and will provide a more direct alternative route to sending Middle Eastern oil via the Malacca Strait and Singapore.
Liu’s remarks, at the end of a visit by Myanmese President Htin Kyaw, mark the official launch of the 770km pipeline, which Beijing regards as essential to securing its oil needs.
Dogged by sensitive relations between Naypyidaw and Beijing, the US$1.5 billion pipeline has been sitting empty for two years.
Dialogue and consultation the way to build lasting stability in Myanmar
The first tanker carrying oil to Myanmar for delivery to China was expected on Saturday, but a Myanmese government official said the ship may not have the official go-ahead to enter Myanmar.
It was unclear whether the ship had delivered its cargo.
“The oil pipeline will very quickly begin operation,” Liu said.
An agreement between China’s PetroChina and Myanmar’s government will allow the state energy giant to import overseas oil via the Bay of Bengal and pump it through the pipeline to supply a new 260,000-barrels-per-day refinery in landlocked Yunnan province.
The announcement wraps up the Myanmese president’s six-day state visit to China, the first since he was elected. He met Chinese President Xi Jinping and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.
When asked if the two sides also discussed the Myitsone dam, work on which has been suspended since 2011, Liu said that China and Myanmar had basically reached a deal. “[We should] move towards an appropriate solution that is advantageous for the development of bilateral relations and realises win-win benefits for both sides,” he said.
China and Myanmar to discuss replacement for dam
The two sides also agreed to work together to better manage security in northern Myanmar, saying that the conflict was an issue for both countries.
Fighting last month in Myanmar pushed thousands of people into China to seek refuge, prompting Beijing to call for a ceasefire between ethnic militias and the security forces.


China says deal reached at last with Myanmar on oil pipeline

Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a welcome ceremony for Myanmese President Htin Kyaw before their talks in Beijing on Monday. Photo: Xinhua

Ethnic Kachin people visit Myitsone, the confluence of the Mali and Nmai rivers, outside Myitkyina, capital city of Kachin state, Myanmar March 30, 2017. Picture taken on March 30, 2017. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun To match Exclusve CHINA-SILKROAD/MYANMAR-DAM

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US$1.5 billion route covering nearly 800km has been sitting empty for two years
