Mongolia is calling on China and Russia to redirect a planned natural gas pipeline across its territory as the world's fastest growing economy seeks to tap the cleaner-burning fuel.

Altering the route to pass through Mongolia would save 1,000 km of pipeline, Mongolian President Tsakhia Elbegdorj said in an interview in Ulan Bator, the nation's capital. It would also allow Mongolia to switch to gas heating in the capital, which ranks among the world's most polluted cities due to widespread use of coal-fired stoves.

"This is economically beneficial," Elbegdorj said. "We are trying to persuade our two neighbors not to exclude us from that project. The Chinese side has already agreed to discuss this and also the Russian side."

Agencies - China Daily