Inner Mongolia eases rules on coal firms

China's top coal-producing region Inner Mongolia said on Thursday that coal miners no longer need local government approval for corporate transfers or for merger and acquisition deals.

The policy, which took effect on Tuesday, will allow local coal miners to follow the rules of a free market, according to authorities from the region.

Coal miners are being encouraged to restructure their businesses and get involved in upstream and downstream industries including electric power, chemicals and building materials.