Reuters reported that China will not necessarily raise natural gas prices even though the government is working to reform the gas pricing system.

A local newspaper, the 21st Century Business Herald, had reported that the National Development and Reform Commission, China's top economic planner, was considering six different price reform plans to better align the cost with global prices.

The newspaper cited an unnamed source with the China Gas Association as saying that if domestic prices tracked international prices that would inevitably lead to price rises. But state radio cited the economic planner's price department as saying reforms would not necessarily lead to price rises.

An official representing the price department told the radio that "Yes, we are discussing natural gas price reform plans, but there are not six versions. The official said and this does not mean that we will certainly increase prices."

(Sourced from Reuters)