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)