China’s coal supply to tighten in 2026 as demand growth slows

China remained the world’s largest coal producer in 2025, with coal output increasing by 2.7% year-on-year to 4.98 billion tonnes. Production was strong in the first half of the year, supported by elevated energy security concerns and steady power demand. However, growth momentum slowed in the second half as intensified safety inspections and regulatory oversight constrained output across key producing regions. Measures to curb overcapacity and manage supply discipline resulted in temporary mine suspension ...