ISLAMABAD: China has expressed interest in joining TAPI natural gas pipeline project once it has been completed by observing the possibilities of building a link from Pakistan’s territory to China. The TAPI project, which would be able to carry 33 billion cubic meters of natural gas, currently involves four countries: Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India. Chief Executive Officer of Pakistan-owned Inter State Gas Systems (ISGS) Mobin Saulat stated that the Chinese have shown interest because TAPI could act as an alternative for a OBOR sub-project. A pipeline between China and Turkmenistan would be far costlier, according to Saulat, than building it through Pakistani territory. The financial close of this phase of TAPI is expected at the end of the next month. Once the pipeline begins generating revenue, financing is expected to increase significantly.