Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni said in a statement that he has received a letter from his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping supporting the EACOP project and welcomes Bejing's endorsement.
Museveni also revealed that the Chinese leader has invited the East African country's energy minister to discuss the initiative with the government.
"I received a letter from President Xi Jinping of China expressing his support for the EACOP project. I welcome His Excellency’s support and invitation to the Energy minister to visit China for further discussions with his government," the statement read.
The Ugandan president also called on the Chinese government to encourage its enterprises to invest in the African continent.
"I also urge the Chinese government to encourage their companies to invest in value addition at the source and import finished products from Africa to reduce dependency on exporting raw materials," Museveni pointed out.
Last December, the media reported that Panyu Chu Kong Steel Pipe Co., the Chinese steel pipe manufacturer contracted to supply the line pipe, had delivered the first 100 kilometers of pipe for the project.
At the end of March, the thermal insulation unit was put into operation to insulate the pipes before they are laid.