Development in China's Natural Gas Industry Regulation

With the growing interest in clean energy, and the natural gas market maturity in China, there is a strong need to introduce as soon as possible a regulation system covering the mid- and downstream natural gas business to ensure a harmonized approach to gas industry development. Adopting a consistent regulation system for the mid- and downstream natural gas industry that establishes the fundamental rights, obligations and regulatory principles would provide a clear legal expression of the government's policy and strategy for gas industry development and the ground rules for the operation of the gas industry. Such a regulation system would, therefore, help create a more stable investment and operating environment, reduce uncertainty and investment risk, and consequently lower the cost of capital.