I think China is taking the piss, doesn't want to import US Gas , but is allowing the US to develop China's own gas fields.

https://asia.nikkei.com/Economy/China-opens-oil-and-gas-to-investment-after-US-trade-truce

ECONOMY

China opens oil and gas to investment after US trade truce

Other markets freed up as Beijing shrinks restricted fields nearly 20%

SHUNSUKE TABETA, Nikkei staff writerJULY 01, 2019 01:46 JST

BEIJING -- China followed a weekend deal to restart trade talks with the U.S. by loosening restrictions on foreign investment in seven areas of its economy, including oil and natural gas development.

The move, announced Sunday, marked Beijing's first gesture toward opening Chinese markets after President Xi Jinping and U.S. counterpart Donald Trump agreed to a halt on further tariffs in their trade war.

China's government publishes a so-called negative list each year showing areas where it limits foreign investment. This year's list contains nearly 20% fewer restrictions.