China's coal imports decline by 42 percent during first quarter

The nation's coal imports declined by 41.5 percent to 49.07 million metric tons during the first three months of the year compared with the same period in 2014, as downstream demand weakened further, customs data said on Monday.

The nation imported 17.03 million tons of coal in March, 8.26 million tons less than the amount it imported in March 2014, a 32.6 percent decline.

Imported coal products have not found many takers in China as they do not have any significant advantages over the low-priced domestic products, said an unidentified source at a power station in southern Fujian province.