China 's coal output in the first three months totaled 838 metric million tons, up 5.8% from a year ago, Shanghai Securities News reported Monday, citing figures from the China Coal Industry Association.

China 's net imports in the first quarter will likely surpass 52 million tons due to greater investment in the sector, unnamed officials from the association were quoted as saying.

As of end-March, the country's coal stocks were 223 million tons.

Demand growth has slowed in the first two months due to weaker demand in downstream industries such as thermal power generation, steel and cement production, it said.

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