Cost could curb China’s gas appetite
The post-Tiananmen Square compact of rising living standards in return for political obedience may prioritise affordable residential energy over blue skies
An unpalatable truth it may be, but, in China, clean urban air and camera-friendly blue skies may be a ‘nice to have’. On the other hand, guaranteed affordable household energy, from any source, is core business. Thus, if the ruling Communist Party has to make a choice between cutting pollution and household bills rising to consumer-hurting levels, it is only going to jump one way. In addition, energy security is inextricably linked with China’s overall stability. Should gas import dependency reach levels that concern the authorities, it could further motivate a slowdown in the switch from coal to gas. Chinese gas demand growth rates of 15pc and 18pc in 2017 and 2018 were largely due to a fo
Also in this section
28 January 2026
The alliance looks to bolster market management credibility by bringing greater clarity and unity to output cuts and producer capacity later in 2026
23 January 2026
A strategic pivot away from Russian crude in recent weeks tees up the possibility of improved US-India trade relations
23 January 2026
The signing of a deal with a TotalEnergies-led consortium to explore for gas in a block adjoining Israel’s maritime area may breathe new life into the country’s gas ambitions
22 January 2026
As Saudi Arabia pushes mining as a new pillar of its economy, Saudi Aramco is positioning itself at the intersection of hydrocarbons, minerals and industrial policy
