China, US gas trade increase could help lift relations from ‘worst in history’, ex-official says

Growing energy trade between China and the US could form a ‘community of shared interests’, according to Zou Ji, amid strained ties between Beijing and Washington

China, which is the world’s top energy importer, could also ‘cautiously’ consider increasing oil, gas and coal trade with Russia

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China is the world’s top energy importer and Russia has been an important trading partner supplying oil, gas and coal. Photo: Reuters

Published: 10:15pm, 17 Jun 2022

China could consider increasing its natural gas trade with the United States despite worsening relations between Beijing and Washington, a former Chinese official said, while also “cautiously” increasing energy commerce with Russia.

Relations between China and the US remain tense despite a flurry of diplomatic activities over the past year, adding to concerns among businesses over the risk of a decoupling between the world’s two largest economies.

“Right now, China and US relations are at their worst in history,” said Zou Ji, a former deputy director general of China’s National Centre for Climate Change Strategy and International Cooperation under the economic planner National Development and Reform Commission.

“I believe the status quo won’t be changing much in the next five, 15 and even 20 years.

“[More gas trade with the US] could strengthen the degree of ties.”

China’s imports as liquefied natural gas (2021)

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