On July 28, the China Railway Tunnel Group (CRTG) commenced the construction of an underwater tunnel that passes through the Yangtze River, a project of the southern section of China-Russia east-route natural gas pipeline that stretches from Yongqing County (in Hebei Province) to Shanghai.

A strategic cooperation project signed by the heads of the two states, the China-Russia east-route natural gas pipeline involves construction of an underwater tunnel that passes through the Yangtze River, which is a key part of the whole project because it constitutes an inevitable passage through which the natural gas from Russia is transported to Shanghai. With an inner diameter of 6.8 meters, a horizontal length of 10.226 kilometers, the tunnel is currently not only the longest underwater tunnel below the Yangtze River, but also the cross-river shield structure project with the longest single tunneling distance, deepest buried depth, highest water pressure, and the largest diameter in the world.

The southern section of the China-Russia east-route natural gas pipeline is expected to be completed and put in operation by June 2025. Upon completion, it will transport 18.9 billion cubic meters of natural gas from Russia every year to the Yangtze River Delta region after passing through the northeastern and northern provinces of China. The pipeline is expected to enhance the emergency support capabilities of the natural gas pipeline network in the Yangtze River Delta, satisfy the region’s need for developing natural gas industry, meet local gas demand for livelihood, and improve the atmospheric environment of the Yangtze River Delta region.