China’s Natural Gas Imports Hit Record High in May as Rebound Continues

China, the world’s largest LNG importer, could bring in up to 80 million tons (Mt) this year as strong demand from the industrial, power generation, and transport sectors support consumption.

China’s liquefied natural gas imports surged 13% year/year in 2023 to 74.31 Mt, according to Kpler data.

Those volumes are forecast to continue rising. PetroChina Co. Ltd. expects the country to import 78-80 Mt this year. Meanwhile, Bloomberg New Energy Finance said in a May forecast that it expects China’s LNG imports to reach 81 Mt this year.