Natural gas consumption surged 18.1 percent to 280.3 billion cubic meters last year, according to the National Development and Reform Commission.

The growth accelerated from a rise of 15.3 percent registered in 2017.

China has been promoting efficient, large-scale use of natural gas in the industrial fuel, gas-fired power and transport sectors.

The country aims to make natural gas consumption account for around 10 percent of the country's energy mix by 2020 and 15 percent by 2030.