[2] The plan to build the oil and gas pipelines was approved by China's National Development and Reform Commission in April 2007.

[13] The oil pipeline, which eventually terminates in Kunming, capital of Yunnan province, is 771 kilometres (479 mi) long.

[6] The natural gas pipeline will extend further from Kunming to Guizhou and Guangxi in China, running a total of 2,806 kilometres (1,700 mi).

[16] It would diversify China's crude oil imports routes from the Middle East and Africa, and avoid traffic through the Strait of Malacca.

Critics have also said the contract, which was signed under the military regime, should be revisited and that Burma should not be exporting gas when three-quarters of the population lack electricity.

[9] The project will be implemented jointly by China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) and Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE).