But to cut pollution, China has reduced steel production, leading to the closure of many plants.

An executive of the company said such a practice has multiple benefits in both economic and environmental terms.

Major steel producers churned out a total of 20.79 million tonnes of crude steel in late July, the data showed.

Hasan said that the exported steel would be used to establish a hospital in New Zealand.

China's State Administration for Market Regulation has conducted investigations on activities of bidding up coal prices, the administration said Friday.

According to the administration, China saw 190 mining accidents in the January-July period, down 14 percent year on year.

Rio Tinto is not concerned about China's plans to centralise iron-ore purchases and has strong ties with its customers, the Australia CEO for the global miner said on Friday.

"The situation on the gas market is tense," Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action Robert Habeck said in a statement.