"We have started talks over importing spot cargoes," said Ed Yao, president of Xinao Group International Investment, a unit of Xinao Gas.

Before building work starts on terminals along the coasts of Zhejiang and Guangdong provinces, the company will rent storage facilities owned by major LNG developers including China National Offshore Oil Corporation, Yao said.

The company also said it will conclude LNG supply deals before building terminals.

"Once