China guarantees natural gas supply to avoid winter shortages

An employee of CNOOC cleans LNG transmission facilities in Qingdao, Shandong province. [Photo by Yu Fangping/For China Daily]

BEIJING -- China has ensured abundant natural gas supply and vowed to stabilize prices this winter, as demand usually spikes in the winter heating season, the country's top economic planner said.

The country has unveiled measures to increase natural gas supply, expand the gas pipeline network, improve gas reserves and make pre-arrangements for peak demand, according to Meng Wei, spokesperson of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC).

"Currently, the gas supply is sufficient enough to satisfy demand for civilian use," Meng said, noting that the NDRC has pledged to strengthen monitoring and ensure stable gas prices throughout the winter heating season.

The commission also urged domestic gas suppliers to follow through with their contracts and ensure stable gas supply.

The country's gas output saw a year-on-year rise of 6.3 percent to 129.5 billion cubic meters in the first 10 months of this year. From January to October, imported gas amounted to 72.06 million tonnes, with an increase of 33.1 percent year on year.