China's raw coal output up 6.6 percent in first four months

China's raw coal output reached 1.585 billion tons in the first four months of this year, up 6.6 percent year on year, according to China National Coal Association.

The country's coal import in the period was 153 million tons, down 5.3 percent year on year.

By the end of April, the total stock of China's coal mining enterprises was 89 million tons, up 41.7 percent year on year, and the coal inventory of China's ports around the Bohai Sea was 31.04 million tons, rising 25 percent from a year ago.

By mid-May, China's power plants had a total coal stockpile of around 200 million tons, enough for 36 days of production.

"Since the beginning of this year, coal production capacity has continued to be unleashed in China, with the output steadily increasing and coal import decreasing. The overall coal supply has been sufficient, and the market trend of supply exceeding demand is obvious now. And the whole society's coal inventory is at the highest level in history," said Zhang Hong, spokesman of China National Coal Association.

In terms of the major coal-consuming industries, the coal consumption for power generation would continue to grow this year, and that by the chemical industry would increase moderately, said the Association, noting that China's coal consumption demand in 2025 is expected to grow by 1.5 to 2 percent.

The association estimated that domestic coal output would increase by about 5 percent this year.

China's coal sector is accelerating its transition towards cleaner and more efficient production.

North China's coal-rich Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region has completed the building of 36 modern coal chemical projects of various types, ranking the first in the country in terms of the capacity of converting coal into natural gas and olefin. Its annual conversion of raw coal has exceeded 100 million tons.

A coal chemical enterprise in the city of Ordos in Inner Mongolia has been converting raw coal into polyethylene and polypropylene, and selling them to manufacturing enterprises in east and north China for production of high-value-added medical equipment, carbon fiber products, and other high-tech goods.

"Now we are able to convert seven million tons of coal annually. By extending the industrial chain, the added value of our products has increased nearly fivefold. The entire production process has achieved zero discharge of wastewater and ultra-low emission of boiler flue gas," said Cui Yijun, head of the polyolefin project of the company.

China's raw coal output up 6.6 percent in first four months

At least 14 people were killed in the Gaza Strip over the past 24 hours as homes collapsed and tents sheltering displaced families were flooded during a powerful winter storm, Gaza's Civil Defense said on Friday.

The fatalities included three children who died from hypothermia, while others were found under the rubble of homes destroyed by heavy rain and strong winds, particularly in Gaza City and northern areas of the enclave, the Civil Defense said.

From Wednesday evening through Friday, the Gaza Strip has been battered by heavy storms and cold weather, leaving the displaced families facing harsh and unsafe conditions. Fragile tents and makeshift shelters, where at least 1.5 million Palestinians are living, offer no real protection from the storms.

Mahmoud Bassal, spokesman of the Palestinian Civil Defense said on Friday that the severe weather has intensified the humanitarian emergency, with the death toll standing at 13 at the time of his statement.

"The weather system affecting Gaza is extremely severe. We are talking about house collapses and the complete destruction of more than a dozen buildings. Dozens of other buildings have partially collapsed, which is why we are reporting 13 victims. More than 90 percent of citizens' tents in Gaza have been completely flooded. In some areas, water levels have risen to more than one meter," he said.

Hiba Al-Yazji, a displaced Palestinian, recalled how a sudden massive influx of water inundated her tent during the night.

"We were flooded. It was like a massive surge of water. I stood in our tent at night with my daughter, and it felt like a pool, with water flowing in from all sides. Since Wednesday, I haven't slept at all, I swear to that. We spread our mattresses out to dry, and now it's going to rain again. Everything in my kitchen has fallen apart," she said.

Other displaced Palestinians have faced similar hardships amid the winds and downpours.

"We have been suffering since the weather system began. I haven't slept for three days. Whenever the rain intensifies, we keep moving inside the shelter. Last night, the plastic roof collapsed on us because of the heavy rain. We spent the night pushing water out, afraid it would flood our tent. My little daughter couldn't sleep at all last night because of the cold," said Dina Khattab.

At least 14 killed as winter storms batter Gaza: civil defense