Chinese gas demand set to rebound

The Asian giant’s LNG imports slumped last year but look likely to recover in 2023

The end of pandemic lockdowns and Beijing’s renewed emphasis on economic growth will be a welcome stimulus for Chinese gas consumption, which declined last year for the first time in a generation. But demand could still be choppy amid market uncertainties. China’s apparent gas consumption edged down by 1.7pc year-on-year in 2022, to 366.3bn m³, according to the latest official figures. The contraction marked a departure from the previous growth trajectory, as higher global prices and tight pandemic controls depressed domestic demand. At the same time, lower Chinese demand offered relief to Europe as governments from Berlin to London scrambled to secure LNG supplies as an alternative to Russi