The Asian Infrastructure¹ Investment Bank (AIIB) has approved its first loan to China.

亚洲基础设施投资银行于（亚投行）日前批准了首笔对华贷款。

The $250 million loan will be used to build a natural gas pipeline² network in the suburbs of Beijing. More than 210,000 households in over 500 villages are expected to be covered.

这批2.5亿美元的贷款将被用于北京郊区的天然气输送管网建设。预计该管网将覆盖500多个村庄的21万余户家庭。

The project is expected to reduce annual carbon dioxide emissions⁴ by 595,700 tonnes, particulate⁵ matter by 3,700 tonnes, sulfur⁶ dioxide by 1,488 tonnes and nitrogen oxide³ by 4,442 tonnes.

该项目预计每年将减少二氧化碳排放量595700吨、颗粒物3700吨、二氧化硫1488吨、氮氧化物4,442吨。

AIIB President Jin Liqun said China's commitment to reducing its reliance on coal will change lives and improve the environment.

亚投行行长金立群表示，中国承诺减少对煤炭的依赖，将改变人们的生活，改善环境。

"That is why we are investing in a project aligned⁷ with their ambitious plan," Jin added.

金立群补充说道：“这就是为什么我们要投资一个与他们雄心勃勃的计划相一致的项目。”

After being completed in 2021, the project is expected to help wean Beijing off coal-fired power generation.

在2021年完工后，该项目预计将帮助北京摆脱燃煤发电。