China to Fix Thousands of Miles of Gas Pipelines After Blasts

Rescuers search at the scene of an explosion in Chongqing on Jan. 7.Source: AFP/Getty Images
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China is planning to renovate 20,000 kilometers (12,427 miles) of aging gas pipelines this year after a series of fatal blasts.

The program will target pipelines with potential safety risks, Minister of Housing and Urban-Rural Development Wang Menghui said Thursday at a press conference. It follows several high-profile explosions as aging infrastructure tries to keep pace with rocketing growth for the cleaner burning fuel.