Shenzhen fuel shortage worsens

Of Shenzhen's 245 gas stations, one half, or 128, have closed indefinitely as Guangdong's oil-supply crunch worsened and the fuel crisis spread to Shanghai, the South China Morning Post reported. World oil prices, spiking at US$67 a barrel on Friday, are pressuring China's oil companies to stop supplying gas, which they must sell at a loss under the government-mandated pricing system. In Shenzhen, service station lines have been as long as 2km and taxi drivers, who can fill their tanks at only 22 designated stations, are the worst affected. Shanghai taxi drivers are threatening to strike in September if high prices continue.