IN BRIEF (Page 14)

Coal stockpile

China's coal reserves in 353 major power plants have hit a record 29.33 million tons, said the Ministry of Railways.

In previous years, it would be around 23 to 24 million tons. The ministry attributed the surging stockpile to weakening demand for power as the traditional summer peak season has passed. The country consumed 319.8 billion kWh of power in August, down 1 percent from 322.5 billion kWh in July.