China's LNG imports experienced a slump in 2022
Chinese gas demand set to rebound
The Asian giant’s LNG imports slumped last year but look likely to recover in 2023
The end of pandemic lockdowns and Beijing’s renewed emphasis on economic growth will be a welcome stimulus for Chinese gas consumption, which declined last year for the first time in a generation. But demand could still be choppy amid market uncertainties. China’s apparent gas consumption edged down by 1.7pc year-on-year in 2022, to 366.3bn m³, according to the latest official figures. The contraction marked a departure from the previous growth trajectory, as higher global prices and tight pandemic controls depressed domestic demand. At the same time, lower Chinese demand offered relief to Europe as governments from Berlin to London scrambled to secure LNG supplies as an alternative to Russi
Also in this section
16 April 2026
Demand for oil is falling because supply cannot meet it, not because it is no longer required
16 April 2026
The continent has an immediate opportunity to make the most of its energy resources by capturing gas that is currently slipping away
15 April 2026
The continent is seeing political pushback to climate plans, corporate reassessment of transition goals and rising supply risk in a fractured global order
15 April 2026
The Middle East energy crisis may turn out to be pivotal to the industry’s long-term expansion, but significant challenges still stand in its way
