China increases energy production in first quarter of 2023

China stepped up its energy production in the first quarter of 2023, with output increases in coal, natural gas and crude oil, according to data released by China’s National Bureau of Statistics on Tuesday.

The country’s coal production rose 5.5% to around 52.4 million tons, while natural gas output increased 4.5% to 59.5 billion tons and crude oil production saw a 2% rise.

– China’s energy production also increases in March

The world’s second largest crude oil-consuming country also increased its year-over-year energy production in March.

China’s crude oil output increased by 2.4% to approximately 18.2 million tons in March, while natural gas climbed by 4% to 20.5 billion cubic meters.

Coal production in the country also reached 420 million tons in March, recording a 4.3% increase from the same month last year.

– China’s energy bills increase

Energy imports into China recorded a significant increase in the first quarter of the year.

According to the General Administration of Customs of China data released last week, China’s lignite and coal imports rose by 96.1% to 101.8 million tons in the January-March period, while crude oil imports increased 6.7% to 136.3 million tons.

Natural gas imports, however, fell by 3.6 million tons to 26.7 million tons.

• China's National Bureau of Statistics