China's Dec coal output hits 2-year record over firm demand in winter

China's December coal output rose from November to hit its highest level since December 2015, as miners boosted output to meet increasing demand after Beijing softened winter coal burning restrictions in northern homes due to gas shortages. The world's biggest coal miner produced 314.87-million tonnes in December, up from 299.98-million tonnes in November and up 1.1% from a year ago, data from the National Bureau of Statistics showed on Thursday.