China Slows Australian Coal Imports as Beijing Denies Ban
- Some Australian imports are said to be delayed by customs
- But foreign ministry says report of coal import ban is false
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Chinese officials are jamming up imports of Australian coal, with at least one major port suspending customs clearance, but Beijing has denied a report of an official ban.
The foreign ministry on Friday said the report of a block on Australian coal at one northern port was false, echoing information from miners, Canberra lawmakers and people familiar with official orders in China. The news had roiled markets on Thursday as it was seen as a sudden escalation of trade tensions between the two countries.