Amid growing demand for natural gas, China's top economic planner has called for an increase in imports and stronger cooperation with Central Asian countries to ensure a stable supply in the coming winter.

The National Development and Reform Commission said on its website on Monday that China will further hold talks with Central Asian countries which significant natural gas resources to increase pipeline gas imports in the winter, when an energy shortage usually hits the country.

Meanwhile, the top-three domestic oil and gas companies are also being urged to accelerate the pace of construction of their natural gas infrastructure projects, including pipelines and liquefied natural gas receiving terminals, to boost supply.