Energy line from Mongolia

Construction work has begun on a new railway line that will run across northeast China and eastern Mongolia to Russia. The railway, dubbed an ‘energy line', will be used to transport coal from north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and neighbouring Mongolia.

The first phase of construction involves a 487 km section from Fuxin City in Liaoning Province, to Bayan Ul in Inner Mongolia. This will cost about CNY 5.9 billion (US$ 790 million) and is expected to be complete in 2010.

Pan Liguo, mayor of Fuxin City said in the report, “After this section becomes operational, a large amount of coal in Inner Mongolia can be transported to Liaoning, which is in great need of coal under the country's drive to rejuvenate northeast China's old industrial base.”

The second 230 km phase of will lead the railway from Bayan Ul northward to Zhuengadabuqi, a river port on the border with Mongolia. The third section will stretch northward to Choibalsan City, Mongolia, where it will join the railway to Russia's Borzya.