The Chinese government has rejected pleas from its own steel industry to lift bans on Australian coal cargoes, keeping dozens of ships holding 8 million tonnes of the commodity stranded at sea.
More than 70 vessels carrying Australian coal have been unable to unload in China since October, coinciding with a souring of diplomatic and trade tensions between Canberra and Beijing.
Australian miners had hoped the restrictions may have eased from January 1 when China reset its unofficial import quotas but analysts and industry leaders on Thursday warned China appeared to be taking an even "firmer position" against Australian coal.
