China imported 4.9 million tons of liquefied natural gas in May, according to Bloomberg shipping data cited by Oil Price. The figure marks a slight annual increase and a reversal from previous months, when import volumes declined amid disrupted Middle East supplies and elevated prices.
The rebound comes as China, the world's largest LNG buyer, steps up purchases ahead of peak summer electricity demand, driven by surging air-conditioning use. The May uptick signals a shift away from greater coal reliance that had filled the gap during the supply crunch.
Middle East supply disruptions had crimped LNG availability, driving up spot prices and dampening Chinese importers' appetite in early 2026. The recovery in shipments suggests buyers are restocking despite still-elevated costs, betting that summer heat will strain power grids.
However, the rebound remains fragile. If Middle East tensions flare again or a heatwave drives demand higher than expected, supply could tighten further, pushing prices higher and potentially forcing China back to coal. The delicate balance between energy security and decarbonization goals hangs in the balance.