China National Petroleum Corp., the country's largest natural gas supplier, pledged to increase its output to meet surging domestic demand amid the current gas crunch caused by a colder winter.

The company has asked its major oil and gas fields to operate at full capacity and started purchasing liquefied natural gas to meet surging needs.

In addition, it will boost gas imports from central Asia to address the shortage.

The demand for natural gas has increased substantively, driven by the continuous rain and snow that fell on north China this winter.

In response, the authorities have urged major gas producers to give priority to residential needs, public facilities and transportation.