China's second west-east natural gas pipeline is laid in Bortala, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 12, 2008. The second west-east natural gas pipeline, running from Horgos of Xinjiang to east and south China, with a total length of 9,139 kilometers, is expected to transmit 30 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually from Central Asian countries. (Xinhua/Shen Qiao)

A worker commands the laying of China's second west-east natural gas pipeline in Bortala, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 12, 2008.(Xinhua Photo)