China said on Thursday it would study 'carefully and very seriously' a proposal that Beijing also join the India-Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline project, 'once issues are clearer'.

"We are also very much aware of the proposal to explore the possibility of extending and transporting natural gas. We do not know the details. We do not know whether it is feasible or not. But once issues are clearer... We will study that carefully and very seriously," Chinese Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs He Yafei told a delegation of SAARC journalists.

China, he said, was in urgent need of more energy. "Of course, we will be interested. But it depends on a lot of things. As far as I know, this is a proposal, just a proposal. So, whether it becomes a reality, we do not know or even if it is feasible or it is workable, we do not know."

Asked if it would be feasible for both China and India to draw from the same pipeline given various factors, he said, it was a "specific question that is for experts to answer".

"I can give you a general answer".

He said China had been discussing with India and other countries how best the energy needs could be met "for all of us".

"It is not only a regional issue but a global issue, especially for countries like China and India. How can we meet best our energy needs of a developing economy. We need cooperation from other countries. But once we join hands, I think the solutions will be nearer".

"I am not ruling our any possibility. Joint pipeline or not...," he said.

During his visit to Islamabad last month, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad had made a proposal for including China in the IPI project. He was quoted as having said, My government will also welcome the inclusion of China in the project".

Pakistan and Iran signed the IPI project in Islamabad last month after talks between Ahmadinejad and Pervez Musharraf, who also recently strongly pitched for Beijing's inclusion during his visit to China.

"Pakistan is very much in favour of the pipeline between the Gulf and China through Pakistan," Musharraf said in his speech at China's prestigious Tsinghua University in Beijing in April. "India and Pakistan are trying for the gas pipeline between Iran, Pakistan and India. We call it IPI pipeline. What can it not be IPC pipeline also," he had said.