According to Chinese customs to provide the latest data, in 2012 China imported 2.9 tons of coal, compared to 2011 increased 1.076 tons, an increase of 59%.

China's coal imports in 2011 rose 11%, reaching 1.824 tons, surpassing Japan 1.752 tons of coal imports, ranked first in the world.

As the world's largest coal producer, in 2009 China's first became a net importer of coal, the annual cumulative imports of coal 1.26 tons, an increase of 211.9%; in 2010 China's coal imports 1.6624 tons, with the increase of 31.9%; with this year, China is the fourth consecutive year became a net importer of coal.

Down to the specific month, China's 2012 1-11 month already accumulative total coal imports 2.54 tons -- which means that in December last year, coal imports reached 36000000 tons, exceeding 28980000 tons in November, a new record high.

" More and more integration trend of coal source of imports to appear, the United States coal now also has appeared in Fangchenggang and Qinzhou port. " Lin Huijiang said, at present Qinzhou port coal imports " Eight-Power Allied forces " trend, the coal in the source area of the United States of America, Australia, New Zealand, Columbia, South Africa, Indonesia, Vietnam, Russia etc..

With the implementation of the shale gas revolution, coal consumption is the world's second largest coal producer in the United States continued to decline, so that the surge in export volume. Data shows, the United States exports to China 4691700 tons of coal for the first half of 2012, an increase of 47.41%, close to the total exports of 2011 5000000 tons.

Energy information administration the United States Department of energy 's said, is expected in 2012 the United States will export 1.25 tons of coal, it will break the 1981 export 1.13 tons of record.

Coal experts Huang Teng told reporters, for example, the United States coal mine-mouth price 7-10 USD / ton, plus more than 20 U.S. dollars / tons of freight, " offshore price of about $40, and profit ". Even in the most expensive shipping costs $50 / ton, to China for less than 100 dollars / ton. " More important is, the United States coal is opencast coal mine, mining costs of different coal quality of the same, so the card number is not linked with the price, make it more competitive in terms of cost ".

Compared with the coal import fiery situation, in 2012 China's export 9280000 tons of coal (including lignite), as a new low since 1986, since 1987 is the annual coal exports for the first time of less than 10000000 tons.