Construction of China’s third pipeline that will send natural gas from the resource-rich western regions to the energy-starved east started on Tuesday. Construction launch ceremonies were held in Beijing, Fujian Province in east China, and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in the northwest. The pipeline project is expected to transfer 30 billion cubic meters of gas annually, and will be fully operational by the end of the year. Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region is one of the richest oil and gas production areas in China.