China aims to become world LNG center

Will be driven by moves to create a greener economy.

Chinese experts believe China will become the world's energy laboratory for decades. They said the transition from fossil fuels to green energy will take decades, but China can start with developing natural gas.

China and the United States have already launched cooperation projects to facilitate the greater use of LNG. Major state-owned enterprises are importing LNG from the US to benefit from low LNG prices caused by the shale gas revolution in the US.

They said ConocoPhillips, is also helping bring LNG from Australia to China in cooperation with China National Petroleum Corporation.The imports will meet China’s rising energy needs to support an economy that is expected to nearly double between now and 2020.

China accounts for 20.7% of global energy demand, and China's energy consumption is growing four times faster than the rest of the world.

China depends on coal for about 80% of its electricity generation leading to pollutio, and associated health problems. These problems cost China 11% of its annual GDP.