China hit by power cuts and factory closures as energy crisis bites

The world's top coal consumer implements power rationing as supplies dwindle ahead of winter

China has told railway companies and local authorities to expedite vital coal supplies to utilities as the world's second largest economy grapples with extensive power cuts that have crippled industrial output in key regions.

As many as 20 provinces are believed to be experiencing the crisis to some degree, with factories temporarily shuttered or working on short hours. Shopkeepers were left to light their stores by candles, and there were reports of mobile networks failing after a three-day outage hit three north-eastern provinces.