China resumes over 70 pct coal production capacity amid epidemic

China has resumed 70.2 percent of its coal production capacity with output recovering steadily amid the fight against the novel coronavirus epidemic, the National Energy Administration (NEA) said Tuesday.

As of Monday, 1,274 mines across the country had resumed production, with daily output reaching 7.12 million tonnes, which passed the 7-million-tonne mark for the first time since Feb. 1, NEA data showed.

Coal stockpiles at the country's power plants were sufficient for 26 days of consumption as of Monday, while those in the central province of Hubei, the hardest-hit region, were sufficient for 47 days of consumption, the highest reading of recent years.

China has pledged measures to ensure the supply of coal, electricity and natural gas to support the control of the novel coronavirus, aiming to ensure stable energy supply to severely affected areas including Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak, and other major cities.

Coal mines are encouraged to resume production, while incentives will be given to support coal transport, the NEA said earlier this month.