China and Russia on Monday started the construction of a joint natural gas pipeline in Russia's eastern Siberia, as they implement a natural gas supply contract signed between the two countries.

Chinese Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli and Russian President Vladimir Putin jointly witnessed the welding of the first roll of pipes on the Russian side of the China-Russia East Route natural gas pipeline in Yakutsk, the capital city of Russia's Sakha (Yakutia) Republic.

At a start-of-construction ceremony at the Us-Khatyn field on the outskirts of Yakutsk, Zhang and Putin were observed by crowds of people from both countries, as a live video feed from the Chayandin gas field some 1,000 kilometers away was displayed on huge screens.