The switch to yuan to pay for billions in commodities trades in the wake of the Ukraine war accelerates China's efforts to internationalize its currency.
Western sanctions on Russia have significantly reduced state oil revenues and diverted tens of billions of dollars toward shipping and refining firms, some with Russian connections.
At least four Chinese-owned supertankers are shipping Russian Urals crude to China as Moscow seeks vessels for exports after the G7 enacted a price cap on the country's oil.
With prices not expected to ease until 2026, poorer states reliant on the fuel to generate power are worried, while costs are being driven up for big Asian economies.
The move comes a month after Beijing initially cut back on Russian supplies, for fear of appearing to openly support Moscow and potentially exposing its state oil giants to sanctions.
China's push into the international LNG market comes two decades after it made a similar big splash in oil trading, and will put its firms in competition with established players.
