China will significantly increase gas imports

China will reduce its dependence on coal and in a few years will double its consumption of natural gas and significantly increase its imports of this raw material, energy expert at the Beijing Center for China and Globalization Think Tanks, Victor Gao, said on Friday.

A new ministry of energy will be created at the parliamentary session in Beijing. Until now, energy issues have been dealt with by the State Energy Agency (PUE) under the State Committee for Development and Reform (PKRiR).

The new ministry will oversee reforms to the Chinese energy structure, including a campaign to reduce dependence on coal, which currently accounts for more than 60 percent of the Chinese energy mix.

Natural gas consumption in China will double in the coming years to offset the shift away from coal. Gas imports currently cover a third of the demand and will significantly increase.