China's NDRC Calls for Higher Gas Imports

China’s top economic planner, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) has called for increased gas imports from Central Asia to ensure stable supply in winter.

According to China Daily, NDRC has called for an increase in imports and stronger cooperation with Central Asian countries.

NDRC has also urged top-three domestic oil and gas companies to accelerate the pace of construction of their natural gas infrastructure projects, including pipelines and liquefied natural gas receiving terminals, to boost supply, China Daily reported.

The NDRC expects China to face an even more severe natural gas shortage in the coming winter and next spring compared with previous years.

China's imports of natural gas are expected to account for about 30.5 percent of its totalconsumption this year, a year-on-year rise of 4.36 percentage points over last year, China Daily said.

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