The Russian Morning Newspaper reported that recent statistics provided by Chinese officials indicate that China produced 35 percent of the world’s coal in 2003, and tallies 80 percent of the total deaths in coal mine accidents.

Despite China’s continued expression of concern over coal mine safety, there were at least 4,153 coal miners killed in coal mine accidents in the first nine months of 2004. China’s official report shows at least 6,702 deaths in 2003.