煤炭是我国的主体能源，科学地认识煤炭资源现状，需要对煤炭资源分布格局与赋存特征有系统的区划辨识，进而制订相应的可持续发展战略。研究发现，我国煤炭资源分布受东西向展布的天山—阴山、昆仑山—秦岭—大别山两条纬向构造带和南北向展布的大兴安岭—太行山—雪峰山、贺兰山—六盘山—龙门山两条经向构造带控制，呈“两横”和“两纵”相区隔的“井”字形分布特征。“井”字形区划格局不仅辨识了含煤盆地和煤炭资源的聚集与分布特征，还与区域自然地理、生态环境以及社会经济发展水平等要素直接关联。“井”字形区划格局下，中部晋陕蒙（西）宁区

Coal is the dominant energy resource in China’s primary energy mix. The systematical identification of distribution pattern and occurrence characteristic of China’s coal resources can contribute to recognizing the current state of coal resources scientifically and adapting the strategy of sustainable development toward coal accordingly. Results show that the geographic distribution of China’s coal resources is controlled by two west-east transversal structural belts (i.e., Tianshan-Yinshan Line and Kunlun-Qingling-Dabieshan Line) and two south-north vertical structural belts (i.e., Da Hingganling-Taihangshan-Xuefengshan Line and Helanshan-Longmenshan Line), and then an octothorpe shaped distribution pattern is identified. The octothorpe shaped division can not only reflect the aggregation and distribution pattern of China’s coal basin and coal resources, but also be directly relative to the physical geographic feature, ecological environmental condition, and economic development level among regions. The Shanxi-Shaanxi-Western Inner Mongolia-Ningxia region and the Eastern Inner Mongolia region in the central area, and the North Xinjiang region in the western area are endowed with abundant coal resources. Meanwhile, the eastern area has the limited ensured reserves and faces exhaustion of recoverable resources except for several provinces of the Yellow-Thai-Hai region. To achieve the sustainable development of China’s coal resources under the current status and states, detailed strategic directions, targets, paths, and countermeasures are addressed in consideration of China’s energy security, ecological security and socio-economic development.