Abstract: Coal, as a basic energy source in China, is characterized by large output, large reserves and high consumption, which determines its position in primary energy in China and will not change the energy structure dominated by coal consumption for a long period of time.The 19th National Congress of the CPC further emphasized the importance of ecological civilization construction and made plans for deployment.This inevitably sets higher demands on the clean utilization of coal and the transformation and upgrading of industries, and it is necessary to re-examine the path and mode.This article briefly introduces the current situation and trend of China’s coal clean development, the traditional and new coal chemical industry, coal industry and coal as a fuel/raw material for pollutant emissions and resource utilization comparison and analysis, the problems existing in the clean utilization of coal in our country are put forward and the corresponding countermeasures and suggestions are given.