China is expected to set coal export quota at 80 million tons in 2006, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) announced on Monday.

Sources from the NDRC's Economic and Trade Department also estimated that China's coal output will reach 2.2 billion tons next year.

In China, only state-owned coal export enterprises that are authorized export management rights can apply for the coal export quota.

Since April this year, the country's coal output has been declining as the central government has taken a series of measures to straighten the market order, and has shut down a large batch of coal mines that did not meet safety standards.

(Xinhua News Agency December 13, 2005)