Gas shortages spread

Fuel shortages at gas pumps have spread to key economic centers in both eastern and western China, the South China Morning Post reported, citing state media. Shortages were first experienced in Guangdong and long lines at gas stations have been seen in Shanghai, Chongqing, Shenzhen and Hangzhou, as well as in cities across the provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Fujian, Henan and Hubei. One local paper reported that Beijing would raise state-controlled retail fuel prices as soon as early next month, though industry executives expressed doubt about such a development. One executive of a firm that operates gas stations and oil storage facilities across northeast China said domestic fuel prices needed to be raised in order for refiners to break even.