In the past six months of 2004, China produced coal of 882.48 million tons, up 15 percent over the same period last year, figures released by China Society of Coal Industry on Monday showed.

China's coal output in 2003 reached 1.6 billion tons, up by 18 percent on a year-on-year basis.

A senior official with the society said the record growth in coal output, sale and distribution in the first half of 2004 was attributed to the country's strong economic growth.

The growing demand for coal was expected to be continued in the second half of 2004, but the growing rate would be lower than the first half, said Pu Hongjiu, vice chairman of the society.

(Xinhua News Agency July 13, 2004)