China orders energy firms to secure winter fuel supplies at all costs

World's second biggest economy is grappling with power cuts that have affected industrial output

China's central government officials have ordered the top state-owned energy companies to secure fuel supplies for winter at all costs as the country battles a power crisis that threatens to hit growth in the world's second biggest economy.

The vice-premier, Han Zheng, has told energy companies to make sure there is enough fuel to keep the country running and made it clear that Beijing would not tolerate blackouts, according to a report by Bloomberg.