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.