Russia's partner faces a sharp rise in the price of a key energy carrier

Thermal coal prices in China reached a three-year high of 1,004 yuan ($150 or almost 13 thousand rubles) per ton. Bloomberg reported this.

Meanwhile, coal remains a key source of electricity in China, accounting for about half of the country's energy mix, even after the rapid development of renewable energy in the past few years. Domestic production of this fossil fuel has fallen by more than three percent. In addition, repair work on China's main coal railway line, which will continue until October 26, is also running at high prices.

Another factor was difficulties with imports from Indonesia, China's largest foreign supplier of thermal coal. Purchases have fallen sharply this year as Jakarta moved to curb output to revive prices and boost government revenue.