December 03, 2008

China to remain net coal exporter in 2008

Reuters reported that China's National Coal Association would not be a net coal importer in 2008 because China's output was sufficient and it had a lot of reserves.

Mr Wang Guangde vice chairman of China's National Coal Association told Reuters when he was asked if China, the world's top coal producer and consumer, could emerge as a net coal importer this year. He said "No, it's not possible."

Mr Wang added at a Coaltrans conference in Beijing that China's 2008 coal exports would be about the same as last year.

China emerged as a net coal importer for the first time in the first half of 2007, and some analysts expect the country to become a net importer in the near future, possibly as soon as this year.