Power shortages in China hit homes and factories prompting global supply fears

Factories were closed to avoid exceeding limits on energy use imposed by Beijing to promote efficiency

Widening power shortages in China's north-east have left homes without power and halted production at numerous factories, while some shops operated by candlelight as the economic toll of the squeeze mounted.

Residents in the north-east, where autumn temperatures are falling, reported power cuts and appealed on social media for the government to restore supplies.