Chinese natural gas imports up 23.6% in one year

Chinese imports of natural gas rose by 23.6% in January-February 2024 compared with a year ago. According to the Chinese Customs Administration, natural gas imports totalled 22.10 million tonnes in January and February 2024, compared with 17.87 million tonnes in January and February 2023. Customs do not provide separate data for LNG imports. China paid $11.3 billion for the 22.10 million tonnes imported, representing an average price of $9.75/mmbtu (€30.6/MWh).
Chinese LNG imports rose by 12.6% in 2023. China has thus become the world's leading importer of LNG, with 71.32 million tonnes of LNG imported in 2023 (100 billion cubic metres).