China's electricity consumption up 8.5 pct in September

China's electricity consumption, a key barometer of economic activity, rose 8.5 percent year on year to reach 847.5 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) in September, according to the National Energy Administration.

Among them, power consumed by primary and secondary industries went up 6.4 percent and 3.6 percent year on year to reach 12.1 billion kWh and 537.9 billion kWh, respectively. The tertiary sector power consumption achieved a yearly increase of 12.7 percent, reaching 165.2 billion kWh.

China's residential power use in September registered a sharp rise of 27.8 percent from the same period last year, hitting 132.3 billion kWh.

From January to September this year, the total power usage across China climbed 7.9 percent year on year to exceed 7.4 trillion kWh, the data showed.

China's electricity consumption up 8.5 pct in September

China calls on the Philippines to stop infringement activities and provocations at once and not to challenge China's firm resolve to defend its lawful rights and interests, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said on Wednesday.

Commenting on the claim by the Philippines saying that the China Coast Guard fired water cannon at a Philippine vessel, Lin said Huangyan Dao has always been China's territory, and the Philippines sent Coast Guard and official vessels there and tried to intrude into China's territorial sea surrounding Huangyan Dao.

"In response, China did what was necessary to protect our territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in accordance with the law. The measures are justified, lawful, professional and restrained," he said.

Philippines urged to stop infringement, provocations in China's territorial sea