Asian Stocks Fall as Surging Bond Yields Rattle Markets 
Wall Street Ends Flat as Oil, Treasury Yields and Fed Jitters Rattle Markets 
Fed Unveils Stablecoin Rules Under GENIUS Act 
US Stock Futures Fall as Treasury Yields Surge Ahead of Trump-Xi Summit 
Dollar Holds Near Two-Month High as Yen Approaches 160 
Japanese Bank Stocks Surge as Bond Yields Fuel Rate Hike Bets 
Soybean Futures Slip as Traders Await Trump-Xi Trade Signals 
Japan Private-Sector Growth Slows as Domestic Demand Weakens 
Asian Currencies Mixed as Dollar Holds Near Two-Month High 
European Stocks Fall as Bond Yields and Geopolitical Risks Weigh 
China’s ‘Lipstick King’ Says AI Won’t Replace Livestream Hosts 
US Comfortable With Canada Trade Standoff as Import Bans Loom 
Canadian Dollar Faces Pressure as Fed-BoC Policy Gap Widens 
Trump, Xi Focus on Trade and AI at White House Summit 
Gold Holds Near $4,275 as Rising Treasury Yields Fuel Fed Rate Hike Bets 
Gold Prices Fall as Treasury Yields Rise on Fed Rate Hike Bets 
Oil Prices Ease as Iran Tensions Clash With Diplomacy Hopes 
Add as a preferred source on Google
China’s seaborne imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) are expected to reach around 7.17 million tons in December, according to shipping data tracked by Kpler. This projected volume represents a modest year-on-year increase and marks the second consecutive month of annual growth when compared with official Chinese LNG import statistics. The data highlights a gradual recovery in China LNG imports after a period of volatility driven by global energy market disruptions and fluctuating demand.
The December LNG import level follows a strong rebound in November, when Chinese buyers significantly increased their intake. Market participants suggest that this recent growth is largely supported by long-term LNG supply contracts rather than spot market purchases. Chinese energy companies appear to be relying more heavily on contracted volumes to secure stable supply and manage price risk, especially as global LNG market conditions remain uncertain.
Industry analysts note that Chinese firms are also retaining a larger share of their contracted LNG cargoes instead of reselling them to overseas markets. In previous months, higher spot LNG prices in Europe and other regions created strong arbitrage opportunities, encouraging Chinese buyers to divert or resell cargoes for profit. However, the recent decline in spot LNG prices has reduced the financial incentive to engage in such resale activity.
As a result, more LNG is being directed toward domestic consumption, supporting China’s energy security goals and helping meet seasonal demand during the winter period. The increase in LNG imports also reflects steady natural gas consumption in China, driven by power generation, industrial use, and residential heating needs.
Looking ahead, analysts expect China’s LNG import trends to remain closely tied to global price movements, long-term contract structures, and domestic energy policies. While spot market activity may stay subdued in the near term, long-term agreements are likely to continue playing a central role in shaping China’s LNG import strategy. Overall, the December figures suggest a cautiously improving outlook for China’s LNG imports, reinforcing the country’s position as one of the world’s largest LNG buyers.
