Chinese Premier Calls ‘All-out’ Efforts to Boost Coal: Times

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang called for "all-out" efforts to ensure coal production and transportation for heating, and continue to crack down on market speculation, the Global Times said citing a State Council meeting. The government vowed to increase gas supply and asked local authorities to keep gas and heating prices stable, the newspaper said. Officials from the country's top planning agency inspected major coal ports, storage and distribution centers and summoned energy companies to ensure coal supply for the winter, the newspaper said. Authorities approved three new mines in Northwest China's Gansu Province on Tuesday, it said. Daily coal output on Monday has exceeded 11.6 million tons, a new high this year. The Zhengzhou Commodity Exchange limited thermal coal futures contracts to curb soaring prices, it said.