Some factories in China take a break due to 'extreme heat'

In China, which is struggling with its worst heat wave in 60 years, some factories have suspended production to save electricity As China struggles with its worst heat wave in 60 years, the country’s economic hardships are also increasing. Authorities have requested that factories in some major cities temporarily halt production. In Sichuan, a major industrial region with more than 80 million people, authorities announced that production will be halted until Saturday in order to prioritize electricity use by the public. Sichuan province is home to some of the world’s largest electronics companies, including Apple’s supplier Foxconn and Intel. It has also been announced that air conditioning will be prioritized in some other regions in the country. This development shows that climate change is further exacerbating the challenges to the country’s economy. Authorities are warning that this year’s growth target of 5.5 percent may not be achieved due to the disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic to trade and daily life. Jin Xiandong, spokesman for the National Development and Reform Commission, said in a statement yesterday that hydropower production has decreased due to the heat wave and drought, and that the country will use more coal resources for electricity generation. Heat waves are expected to become more widespread due to worsening climate change. Temperatures in Sichuan reached a record high of 44 degrees Celsius over the weekend.