The China Coal Import and Export Group Corporation is reported to have exported 31 million tons of coal through December 30, a record of 1.75 million tons more than last year.

In recent years, the international coal price has steadily dropped, discouraging most export coal manufacturers. Playing a major role in China's coal export, the Import and Export Group

Corporation has taken measures to cut commission fees to 1.5 per cent and tried to improve general service, thus helping the producers getting an extra 20 million yuan.

According to statistics, 93 percent of the coal exports are produced in State-owned enterprises (SOE). Exporting has proved effective in lifting coal SOEs out of difficulty.