Energy giants 'in merger talks'

The listed units of Shenhua, Guodian halt trading in shares

China's largest coal miner and a coal-fired power giant are reported to be in merger discussions, as their listed units halted share trading on Monday.

China Shenhua Energy Co said in a filing on Sunday to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange that it was informed by parent company - China's largest coal miner Shenhua Group Corporation - of "significant matter containing substantial uncertainty which is subject to the approval of the relevant authorities".