Coal Imports Unlikely to Fuel China-Australia Trade: Global Times

China's energy shortage may not lead to significant resumption in trade with Australia, the Global Times said in an editorial. The state-owned tabloid commented following western media reports that about 1 million tons of Australian coal were allowed to clear customs at Chinese ports, opening an opportunity for easing coal-focus trade dispute between the two countries. Without denying the reports, the newspaper said coal imports are not a major factor in China's energy supply and demand relationship, as the Asian country has ordered more coal-producing provinces to boost output. China significantly boosted imports from the U.S., South Africa and Canada in the first eight months, said the newspaper.