China General Administration of Customs suggests reining in coal export by strengthening the export quota system.

     The suggestion came after a forecast that China's coal demand would surge upon the peak time and Olympic Games.

     Besides, Southwest China's Sichuan Province, which was hit by devastating earthquake on May 12, is still facing tight supply of electric coal, and the country's inventory stands at a low level.

     Spurred by high coal price on the international market, China exported 25.49 million tons of coal valued at 2.49 billion yuan in the first half of this year, up 10.2 percent and 83.3 percent year on year, according to General Bureau of Customs.   

     The average unit price of exported coal in May exceeded 100 US dollars/ton for the first time to reach 132.4 dollars/ton and that in June was 110.4 dollars/ton with export of 6.99 million tons.