China's industry ministry is considering regulations to tighten pollution standards for rare earth producers, Xinhua news agency reported on Sunday, a move the country's top firm said might further raise export prices.

Yang Wanxi, a government adviser involved in preparing the new regulations, said a draft had been filed with the Ministry of Industry and Information, aiming to force producers t

Forced power outages aimed at meeting China's energy-saving goals have led to "unprecedented" diesel shortages, as companies buy diesel generators to keep operating, the Xinhua news agency reported on Sunday.

China is fast approaching its self-imposed end-2010 deadline to reduce its energy intensity -- or the amount of energy used to make each unit of GDP -- by 20 percent from 2005 levels.