Chinese independents set to take major role in gas
Liberalisation of energy supply infrastructure is accelerating and attracting investment beyond the state giants
Emboldened by China’s encouraging progress in opening up its gas market to new players, independent domestic developers of emerging LNG import projects are starting to discuss their ambitious plans more publicly—something amply demonstrated today at the China LNG & Gas International Exhibition & Summit. Gas project executives from lesser-known provincial markets in China lined up at the Shanghai event to promote their multibillion-dollar developments. It underlines how so-called second-tier Chinese importers are emerging as a buying force in the international LNG market—some of the companies at the event rank among China’s fast-growing players in the LNG sector outside the state-owne
Also in this section
13 March 2026
Brussels is again weighing a cap on gas prices amid the Hormuz crisis, but the measure could backfire by deterring the LNG cargoes Europe urgently needs
12 March 2026
Emergency oil stocks provide a last line of defence to oil market shocks, so the IEA’s unprecedented 400m bl release represents something of a double-edged sword
12 March 2026
LPG could rapidly expand access to clean cooking across Africa and prevent hundreds of thousands of deaths from indoor air pollution each year, but infrastructure shortages and regulatory barriers are slowing investment and market growth
11 March 2026
Missiles over Dubai and disruption in Hormuz are testing the emirate’s reputation—and shaking the energy hub at the centre of the Gulf economy






