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
28 April 2026
Oil traders warning of $200/bl oil are wrong, and the market should be wary of proclamations that the impact of the oil shortage has only begun to be felt and a that a ‘harsh adjustment’ is coming—even for industrialised nations
28 April 2026
Restoring supply from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Iraq involves complexities far beyond simply adjusting operational controls
28 April 2026
Datacentres will guzzle power at a ferocious rate, but the impact on wider energy markets will be far more complex than previously thought
28 April 2026
The key energy player faces balancing regional routes, political complexities, and creating a clear strategic vision for energy security
