China saw its output of natural gas increase 12% year on year to 9.4 billion cubic meters in Jul this year, said the National Development and Reform Commission in a statement published on its website.

In the first seven months, the country produced 68.1 billion cu m of natural gas, 9.4% more than in the same period of last year.

In Jul, China's natural gas imports rose 35.1% year on year to 4.7 billion cu m, taking its total imports in the first seven months to 29.4 billion cu m, 26.1% more than in the corresponding period of last year and accounting for 31% of the country's total consumption.

The apparent consumption of natural gas amounted to 94.8 billion cu m from Jan to Jul, up 14.5% year on year. It rose 16.9% year on year to 13.3 cu m in Jul.