According to the China Coal Industry Association (CCIA), in the first half of the current year China's coal output amounted to 1.77 billion mt, up 12.7 percent compared to the same period of 2010.
Due to the rise in coal production, the shortage of thermal coal supplies previously seen in some regions of China was relieved to some extent in April and May.
By the end of June this year, overall coal inventory in China stood at 221 million mt, up 4 million mt from early 2011.