China's Gas Imports Will Continue to be High

China will continue to see rising imports of natural gas due to strong domestic demand amid stagnant output, reports China Daily.

Imports are expected to account for 32 percent of China's natural gas usage this year, compared with 28 percent last year, China Daily reports citing Sublime China Information Co, a Chinese commodities consultancy.

Country’s natural gas consumption is likely to be around 170 billion cubic meters this year.

The imports have already reached 32 percent during the first ten months this year and will stay at this level for the remaining two months, Wang Xiaokun, an energy analyst told China Daily.

"The government has been encouraging development of shale gas, coal bed methane and coal gas to ease the soaring domestic demand for energy," said Wang. "However, technological obstacles and environmental issues are major difficulties for development of these resources."

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