China opens brand new 1,100 mile Caspian gas pipeline

[rollingrock]

China recently opened its 1100 mile Caspian gas pipeline on December 14, 2009 without having to fire a shot. looks like it's going to be a very happy new year for the Chinese.





China president opens Turkmenistan gas pipeline
BBC World News
14 December 2009


China's President Hu Jintao has opened a new pipeline that will deliver gas from Turkmenistan to his country. He was joined by the leaders of the Central Asian countries through whose territory the pipeline passes. The pipeline marks a major victory for Beijing in its drive for energy supplies

Analysts say the pipeline marks a major advance of Beijing's influence in the region and a step forward in its drive for increased energy security. The new pipeline also breaks Russia's long-standing stranglehold on Turkmenistan's vast gas supplies.

"China is positive about our co-operation and the opening of this gas pipeline is another platform for collaboration and co-operation between our friendly nations," Mr Hu said.

He turned a wheel to symbolise the opening of the 1,800km (1,100 miles) pipeline, which runs from a gas field being developed by the China National Petroleum Corporation through Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan to Xinjiang in western China.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8411204.stm

[rollingrock]

1. Meanwhile, the US is busy bankrupting itself

neck-deep in two full-blown wars with no apparent purpose or end in sight. construction of its own proposed pipeline in the region has yet to begin, if it ever will.


China and Russia are playing chess.

Obama? more like tic tac toe.

[amborin]

2. but, we're sort of providing securiy for the Chinese in

Afghanistan, as they set about securing more and more resources for themselves:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

[Junkdrawer]

3. US to China: "I'd be a shame if terrorists were to destroy your new pipeline."...

...

There was widespread skepticism among observers whether the Central Asia pipeline project would see the light of day. Indeed, China pushed ahead against Western views that last year's renewed unrest in Xinjiang put it at risk. "China is putting a lot of eggs in one basket,'' one British expert said. "An awful lot of oil and gas is coming through a small region. Looking now at trends in Xinjiang, you could ask whether a route from Central Asia is actually more secure than routes through Southeast Asia or the South China Sea."

The implication was obvious: that China's Central Asian pipeline could become a sitting duck for terrorists. As Robert Ebel, at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, put it, security could be impossible if the pipelines become targets as they pass through vast stretches of sparsely populated areas in Central Asia and Xinjiang. "There is no way you can protect a pipeline along its entire length. It just can't be done", Ebel, a security expert, maintained. Unrest in Xinjiang, particularly, threatens the Central Asian pipeline, he added. "I'm sure it's causing grey hairs on the people in Beijing," he said.

...

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Central_Asia/KL24Ag04.html

[rollingrock]

4. What terrorists?

as the map shows, no part of the completed Chinese pipeline runs through any region known for terrorist activity...on the other hand, the proposed US pipeline runs right through the middle of Taliban and al Qaeda territory, as seen on the map. its a logistical and security nightmare to even attempt any major construction project in that part of the world, in the heart of Taliban country. in case you haven't noticed it also happens to be a warzone.

[Junkdrawer]

5. Uzbekistan: Boil people alive for a while, and you'll get all you need.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNYES8KOIqY