Emerging suppliers are banking on China's gas needs

The country is poised to be a pivotal player in global gas markets as demand surges

China, with its ballooning demand for gas, is actively being courted by the world's largest gas exporters, particularly Russia, as a pivotal growth market for the future.  Meeting surging demand should not be a problem with no shortage of would-be suppliers. Liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminals are being built at such a rapid clip, that by the end of the decade China's total regasification capacity could exceed number one LNG buyer Japan, while mega pipeline deals with Russia are in the works too. But Beijing is keeping its options open as it aims to drive harder bargains. And despite the pace of demand actually slowing last year for the first time in a decade, emerging suppliers are