BEIJING, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- China's State Electricity Regulatory Commission (SERC) Thursday called for more efforts to ensure electricity supply and safe operation of power system ahead of widespread temperature plunge after a strong cold snap.

    The cold snap, which already caused strong winds, heavy snow and temperature plunge between 10 and 25 degrees Celsius in northern parts of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, was set to sweep across more than two thirds of the country's territory, China Meteorological Administration (CMA) forecast Thursday.

    According to the CMA, temperature in most parts of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, northeastern China and northern China would drop between 8 and 12 degrees Celsius in the coming three days.

    One of the priorities was to ensure the stable and safe operation of thermal power plants, the SERC said in a statement on its website.

    SERC also urged better electricity dispatch, enhanced inspection on power facilities and intensified monitoring of coal supply for electricity generation.

Cold snap continues in northern China, spreads south

     BEIJING, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- The cold snap that has brought freezing temperatures and snow to northwest China's Xinjiang continued Thursday, spreading to north and central regions.

Local citizens ride bicycles in strong wind in Hohhot, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Dec. 24, 2009. The temperature here fell 10 to 15 degrees centigrade Thursday due to strong wind. (Xinhua/Li Yunping)

     The National Meteorological Center said the blizzard that began in most parts of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on Tuesday night had stopped, but temperatures had kept plunging. Full story