(Yicai Global) Oct. 18 --  China increased its natural gas production in the first three quarters  of this year amid a nearly similar hike in imports.

China's natural gas production climbed by 9.5 percent from a previous year to 127.7 billion cubic meters during the nine months, the National Bureau of Statistics  released today. Last month, the related output rose by 10.6 percent to  13.5 billion cbms.

During the three quarters,  the nation imported 10 percent more natural gas than a year ago at 71.22  million tons, the General Administration of Customs said on Oct. 14.  September's figure was up 7.8 percent at 8.21 million tons.

Editor: Emmi Laine