In 2011, China's coal imports reached 182 million mt, rising by 10.8 percent year on year, according to the figures released by China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC). Meanwhile, China's coal exports in 2011 came to 14.66 million mt, down 23 percent compared to the previous year. Accordingly, in the given year China recorded a net coal import volume of 168 million mt, increasing by 15.2 percent year on year.
In 2011, consumption of coal by China's three main coal consuming sectors, i.e., thermal power, steelmaking and cement, was up by 13.9 percent, 9.8 percent and 17.2 percent respectively, resulting in a strong increase in domestic demand for coal.