China exported a record 39.86 million tons of coal in the first half of this year, 14 million tons more than in the same period in 2000.
The China National Industry Import and Export Group, the country's largest coal exporter, shipped out 24.24 million tons overseas during that period as a result of its efforts to explore the global market.
The group exported 4.72 million tons in July, hitting an all-time monthly high.
China is expected to export more than 70 million tons of coal for all of 2001.