China ready to streamline coal imports

The Chinese government has signalled it's ready to streamline rules which are hindering nine billion dollars of Australian coal exports.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang praised Australian coal during a meeting with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on the sidelines of the East Asia summit, agreeing both countries should work together to improve the export process, The Australian reports.

The comments come months after a 40,000 tonne coal shipment was turned away from China on environmental grounds after sitting in a port for three months.