A crucial section of the East Route natural gas pipeline between Russia and China has been completed, Xinhua News agency reported on Wednesday, citing construction company PipeChina.

The section will allow gas to be transported from Russia to China's eastern economic powerhouse Shanghai, according to the report.

The 5,111 km cross-border pipeline reportedly enters China via the border city of Heihe in northeastern Heilongjiang Province, and runs through nine provincial regions, supplying natural gas to areas along the route, including Beijing, Shanghai, and Tianjin.