Russia to begin China oil pipeline in 2008 – minister

Construction work will begin next year on a much-anticipated pipeline to deliver crude oil directly from Siberia to China, Russia’s energy minister said Monday, according to news reports.

Speaking in Beijing, Energy Minister Viktor Khristenko said the first payment for the Chinese branch of a trunk pipeline that links Siberia to Russia’s east coast was received in June, paving the way for construction work to begin.