China’s LNG Strategy Pays Off with Record Re-Exports in 2026

In February of this year, Chinese companies set a record. They re-exported 749 thousand tonnes of liquefied natural gas. This corresponds to nearly one billion cubic meters of gas in regasified form and roughly a dozen large-capacity LNG carriers. This figure became a new record for the entire history of industry statistics. In relative terms, it accounted for 19 percent of total LNG imports (3.95 million tonnes according to the General Administration of Customs of China), which appears quite significant. At the same time, only the gas that entered the customs territory of the country was taken into account. Volumes that were redirected by Chinese buyers to other recipients while LNG carriers were still en route from the seller were not included.