- Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Imports refer to the total volume of liquefied natural gas received by a country from international suppliers during a given year.
China Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Imports was 97.80 Billion Cubic Metres in 2023, up 12.4% on 2022. The Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Imports dataset of China from 2015 to 2023 provides a comprehensive overview of the country’s LNG import patterns, highlighting import trends, supply developments, and changes across the natural gas trade sector. Measured in billion cubic metres (bcm), the dataset represents the total annual volume of LNG imported into China.
China Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Imports moved from 27.00 Billion Cubic Metres in 2015 to 97.80 Billion Cubic Metres in 2023 (+262.2%), an average of +17.5% a year. The series high was 110.1 Billion Cubic Metres in 2021 and the low 27.00 Billion Cubic Metres in 2015.
The gap between the series high (2021) and low (2015) is 83.10 Billion Cubic Metres. The sharpest single-year move was +43.8% in 2017.
Among the 22 countries in this dataset, China ranks 1 for 2023. It accounts for 17.8% of the global total in 2023.
Full series
Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Billion Cubic Metres.
Scroll the table sideways to see all columns.
| Year | Billion Cubic Metres | Change vs prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 97.80 | +12.4% |
| 2022 | 87.00 | −21% |
| 2021Peak | 110.1 | +17.1% |
| 2020 | 94.00 | +11% |
| 2019 | 84.70 | +15.2% |
| 2018 | 73.50 | +38.9% |
| 2017 | 52.90 | +43.8% |
| 2016 | 36.80 | +36.3% |
| 2015 Trough | 27.00 | — |
Regional context
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Imports by country, 2023, Billion Cubic Metres. China is highlighted.
Data definition
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Imports — - Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Imports refer to the total volume of liquefied natural gas received by a country from international suppliers during a given year. LNG is natural gas that has been cooled to approximately −162°C, converting it into a liquid state to facilitate efficient storage and long-distance transportation by specialized LNG carriers. The indicator is typically measured in billion cubic meters (bcm) after regasification or in equivalent LNG volumes and represents the amount of imported LNG entering a country's energy supply. LNG Imports are a key indicator of natural gas trade, energy security, import dependency, and the diversification of natural gas supply sources.
The data includes all internationally traded LNG cargoes imported through LNG receiving terminals and regasification facilities for domestic consumption, storage, or onward distribution. It covers LNG imported under long-term contracts, spot market purchases, and short-term agreements from exporting countries. The indicator includes LNG received for use across electricity generation, industrial processes, residential and commercial applications, and other natural gas-consuming sectors after regasification. Imports are recorded regardless of the country of origin and are compiled using standardized international trade statistics, customs data, port records, and national energy reporting methodologies, enabling consistent comparison of LNG import volumes across countries and over time.
The data excludes domestically produced natural gas, pipeline natural gas imports and exports, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), natural gas liquids (NGLs), compressed natural gas (CNG), and other gaseous fuels that are not imported as LNG. It also excludes LNG exports, LNG bunkering for marine fuel where reported separately, transit shipments that do not enter domestic supply, and inventory changes unless specifically incorporated into national energy balances. The indicator does not measure LNG consumption, regasification capacity, storage capacity, terminal utilization rates, or the economic value of LNG imports. Minor variations may occur due to differences in national reporting practices, customs classifications, conversion factors, and statistical estimation methodologies across countries.
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Imports — - Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Imports refer to the total volume of liquefied natural gas received by a country from international suppliers during a given year. LNG is natural gas that has been cooled to approximately −162°C, converting it into a liquid state to facilitate efficient storage and long-distance transportation by specialized LNG carriers. The indicator is typically measured in billion cubic meters (bcm) after regasification or in equivalent LNG volumes and represents the amount of imported LNG entering a country's energy supply. LNG Imports are a key indicator of natural gas trade, energy security, import dependency, and the diversification of natural gas supply sources.
It serves as an important indicator of energy security, supply diversification, industrial demand, electricity generation requirements, and the role of LNG within China’s energy system.
China imported 27.0 bcm of LNG in 2015, increasing sharply to 36.8 bcm in 2016 and 52.9 bcm in 2017. Imports continued rising to 73.5 bcm in 2018 and 84.7 bcm in 2019. LNG imports increased further to 94.0 bcm in 2020 and reached a review-period high of 110.1 bcm in 2021. Imports declined to 87.0 bcm in 2022 before recovering to 97.8 bcm in 2023, reflecting changing domestic demand and international market conditions.
Overall, the dataset indicates a strong long-term upward trend in China’s LNG imports despite a temporary decline in 2022. Rising import volumes were supported by rapid industrialization, urbanization, coal-to-gas switching policies, expanding regasification infrastructure, and growing demand for cleaner energy sources. Market conditions, domestic production, and global LNG supply dynamics also influenced annual import levels.
The dataset is valuable for evaluating China’s LNG import outlook, analyzing import dynamics, and assessing future supply requirements. It supports market research, infrastructure planning, investment evaluation, and policy development while providing insights for researchers, industry stakeholders, analysts, and policymakers monitoring energy security, LNG trade trends, import patterns, and the evolving role of LNG within China’s energy market.
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Definition- Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Imports refer to the total volume of liquefied natural gas received by a country from international suppliers during a given year. LNG is natural gas that has been cooled to approximately −162°C, converting it into a liquid state to facilitate efficient storage and long-distance transportation by specialized LNG carriers. The indicator is typically measured in billion cubic meters (bcm) after regasification or in equivalent LNG volumes and represents the amount of imported LNG entering a country's energy supply. LNG Imports are a key indicator of natural gas trade, energy security, import dependency, and the diversification of natural gas supply sources.
China Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Imports was 97.80 Billion Cubic Metres in 2023, up 12.4% on 2022.
China Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Imports moved from 27.00 Billion Cubic Metres in 2015 to 97.80 Billion Cubic Metres in 2023 (+262.2%), an average of +17.5% a year. The series high was 110.1 Billion Cubic Metres in 2021 and the low 27.00 Billion Cubic Metres in 2015.
The highest value was 110.1 Billion Cubic Metres in 2021 and the lowest was 27.00 Billion Cubic Metres in 2015.
Included: The data includes all internationally traded LNG cargoes imported through LNG receiving terminals and regasification facilities for domestic consumption, storage, or onward distribution. It covers LNG imported under long-term contracts, spot market purchases, and short-term agreements from exporting countries. The indicator includes LNG received for use across electricity generation, industrial processes, residential and commercial applications, and other natural gas-consuming sectors after regasification. Imports are recorded regardless of the country of origin and are compiled using standardized international trade statistics, customs data, port records, and national energy reporting methodologies, enabling consistent comparison of LNG import volumes across countries and over time. Excluded: The data excludes domestically produced natural gas, pipeline natural gas imports and exports, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), natural gas liquids (NGLs), compressed natural gas (CNG), and other gaseous fuels that are not imported as LNG. It also excludes LNG exports, LNG bunkering for marine fuel where reported separately, transit shipments that do not enter domestic supply, and inventory changes unless specifically incorporated into national energy balances. The indicator does not measure LNG consumption, regasification capacity, storage capacity, terminal utilization rates, or the economic value of LNG imports. Minor variations may occur due to differences in national reporting practices, customs classifications, conversion factors, and statistical estimation methodologies across countries.
The series is sourced from energyinst.org (https://www.energyinst.org/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/1542714/684_EI_Stat_Review_V16_DIGITAL.pdf). It covers 2015–2023 and is reported in Billion Cubic Metres.
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