In January–July, Chinese demand for liquefied natural gas from Russia increased by 26.1%. According to Chinese customs statistics reviewed by [**RIA Novosti**](https://ria.ru/20260820/spg-2111971656.html), imports totaled 4.226 million tonnes over the period.

In value terms, the purchases cost Chinese buyers USD 2.148 billion, up 8.3% from the first seven months of 2025, when the figure stood at USD 1.984 billion.

Last year set a high benchmark: in 2025, Russia supplied a record 9.8 million tonnes of LNG to China, 18.3% more than in 2024 and 51 times higher than in 2015.

The price dynamics are noteworthy. While volumes rose by 26.1%, the value of purchases increased by only 8.3%. This points to a decline in the average contract price, from around USD 592 per tonne in January–July 2025 to approximately USD 508 per tonne in the same period of 2026.

As reported earlier, amid disruptions to LNG supplies from the Persian Gulf, the average price of gas imported by China in June [**rose**](https://www.interfax.ru/business/1108021) to its highest level in three and a half years, reaching USD 416 per 1,000 cubic meters. Against the backdrop of strong global demand for energy resources, China is securing favorable prices for Russian gas, as this large market has become doubly attractive for Russia following the ban on supplies to the EU.