Trade Minister Simon Birmingham is denying Australian coal is being blocked from entering China.

The minister tells Chris Smith, “We don’t believe that China has banned Australian coal into China or into even a single port.”

The government is investigating claims China is limiting the amount of coal that can go into their ports.

“We are confident that Australia’s trading relationship with China is strong and will continue to be strong,” he says.

Mr Birmingham stressed the move is not politically linked.

“I don’t think it’s helpful… for people to leap to those sorts of conclusions.”

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