BEIJING — China's natural-gas consumption rose year-on-year in the first 11 months of 2021 amid efforts to fight air pollution, according to the country's top economic planner.

Apparent consumption of natural gas increased 14.5 percent year-on-year to 329.26 billion cubic meters in the January-November period, the National Development and Reform Commission said.

In November alone, apparent consumption of natural gas reached 31.78 billion cubic meters, up 6.9 percent from a year earlier.

China has been promoting efficient, large-scale use of natural gas in sectors including industrial fuel, power generating and transportation, as part of efforts to curb air pollution.