Construction of an LNG storage and distribution station project in Lianyungang City, Jiangsu province
China looks to become LNG trading hub
Crucial role of gas means country is laying the foundations to control physical and trading supply chains
China’s LNG market—poised to be the world’s biggest for the second year running and continue growing for at least another decade—is taking concrete steps to position itself as an important transshipment and trade epicentre for LNG commerce. Success would potentially grant China an edge in the competition to develop an Asian LNG trading hub along the lines of Europe’s NBP or TTF. At the heart of the strategy are healthy prospects for China’s gas market that should ensure plenty of LNG flowing into the country, and the development of a competitive industry chain through the buildout of both physical and trading infrastructure. China is on track this year to consolidate its status as the top LN
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
