(April 8): Hopes for a strong rebound in China’s demand for liquefied natural gas (LNG) are fading, despite the ceasefire called in the Middle East, as analysts caution over lingering supply risks and higher prices. Chinese LNG imports plunged 11% last year to 68.4 million tonnes, a rare decline in nearly two decades of almost uninterrupted growth. BloombergNEF expects another drop in 2026 to 62.3 million tonnes. Rystad Energy predicts a slight rise to 70 million tonnes. Qatar’s heftFaced with such a shortfall, China is all but certain to limit its exposure to the Persian Gulf.

Source: The Edge Markets April 08, 2026 07:22 UTC