Gas scramble as price hike draws nearer

Customers pre-pay for resource before expected 11 percent rise

Many Beijingers are stockpiling natural gas as the city prepares to charge more for it following a one-sided hearing on the issue last week.

If the hike is approved as expected by the local government, the selling price of natural gas for residential use will rise by 11 percent, from the current 2.05 yuan per cubic meter to 2.28 yuan.