BEIJING, March 1 (Xinhua) -- China's top economic planner has urged that output and supply of natural gas be increased to meet household demand.

Imports of pipeline gas and liquefied natural gas should be increased and gas storage expanded, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) said in a statement after a meeting on energy security.

To meet household demand, gas for non-residential use should be reduced when necessary.

The move came after natural gas demand rose in 2017 as millions of households in north China switched to gas from coal for winter heating to combat air pollution.

State-owned oil firms, including China National Petroleum Corporation and China National Offshore Oil Corporation, are maximizing production from domestic gas fields, and the NDRC has urged companies to be disciplined in pricing.