China, the world's largest coal user and producer, increased imports of the fuel in September from a month earlier to meet domestic consumption following an economic recovery.

Purchases rose 7 percent to 12.55 million metric tons last month from August and more than tripled what the country imported a year earlier, according to data from the customs office in Beijing today.

Imports had declined in July from a month earlier after the country reopened small mines to meet rising demand spurred by the economic recovery.

China's net coal imports rose to 10.53 million tons in September from a month earlier, according to today's data.

Liquefied natural gas imports climbed to a record 788,514 tons last month, the data showed.