That map and this one https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Distribution-of-coal-deposits-in-China-Source-IEA-Clean-Coal-Center-Coal-Online_fig10_228838239 https:

That map and this one https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Distribution-of-coal-deposits-in-China-Source-IEA-Clean-Coal-Center-Coal-Online_fig10_228838239 https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Distribution-of-coal-dep... seem to show a lot of centrally located deposits along with several near the coast. Most coal deposits in England are in the north so they did have to transport it. I realize England is much smaller but it looks to me like China has a lot more coal spread over a wider area. I imagine wood fuel would also need to be transported a long distance after forests near major population centres had been depleted so I don’t think the transportation cost argument holds up.