China may speed up the release of measures on the administration of coal quality, following a statement made by Wu Xinxiong, director of the National Energy Administration (NEA), during a meeting on air pollution control on February 26.<br /> <br /> The measures may impose strict restrictions over the long-distance transport of low calorific coals as well as the imports of low grade coals, similar to a previous draft proposal released in mid-December last year for solicitation of public opinions.<br /> <br /> Presently, no further details are available, either the measures itself or the exact date of release.<br /> <br /> The Chinese government has been trying to implement such measures since early last year, releasing two drafts publicly, though both were shelved after strong protests of utilities, traders among others.<br /> <br /> According to the mid-December draft, Chinese buyers would be prohibited to import lignite with net calorific value below 16.50MJ/kg or 3,946 Kcal/kg, and other coal varieties with net calorific value below 18 MJ/kg or 4,300 Kcal/kg, with specific requirements on ash and sulphur content.<br /> <br /> These standards would also apply to coal with a transport distance of more than 600 km, the draft said.<br /> <br /> <p> Customs data showed that the country imported 327 million tonnes of coal in 2013, up 13.2% year on year, with lignite of 59.79 million tonnes, up 11% year on year. </p> <p style="text-align:center;"> <img src="/upfiles/news/image/20140305/20140305174003_3166.jpg" alt="" /> </p>