Chinese Vice-Premier Zeng Peiyan stressed the need for the smooth
production and transportation of coal on Tuesday and asked relevant
departments to go all out to ensure power supplies as severe
weather battered central and southern China.
He reiterated that all parties should keep a clear mind on the
tough situation and spare no effort to guarantee power
supplies.
He asked state and local coal mines to enhance output and
maintain production during the Spring Festival, while ensuring safe
operations.
He urged the smooth channeling of rail and sea facilities to
transport coal and urged that disrupted power grids be restored in
timely fashion.
Coal supply of major power grids should be ensured first, and
supplies to homes and schools, hospitals, communications and
financial institutions should also be ensured, he noted.
Heavy snow since mid-January, the worst in 50 years in central,
eastern and southern areas of China, has affected tens of millions
of people.
(Xinhua News Agency January 30, 2008)
