The supply disruption has pushed authorities to intervene through subsidies, reserve releases and regulatory measures aimed at stabilising fuel availability and protecting consumers from rising prices.

In India, authorities invoked emergency powers last week and directed refiners to maximise production of liquefied petroleum gas to prevent shortages of the cooking fuel widely used by households. The government also cut LPG sales to industry to ensure adequate supply for roughly 333 million homes connected to the system.

Officials have also urged consumers to avoid panic buying of cylinders and encouraged a shift to piped natural gas where available to ease pressure on LPG distribution.

Elsewhere in Asia, South Korea said it is considering additional energy vouchers for vulnerable households while preparing to increase electricity output from nuclear and coal-fired plants.

China announced it would release fertilisers from national commercial reserves ahead of the spring planting season, citing supply disruptions tied to the energy crisis.

Malaysia said it will increase spending on petrol subsidies to 2 billion ringgit ($510 million) from 700 million ringgit to maintain fixed retail fuel prices, according to government statements.

In Philippines, authorities said they plan to curb rising electricity bills linked to higher liquefied natural gas prices by increasing coal-fired power generation and regulating electricity tariffs.

Australia said it will release petrol and diesel from domestic reserves to address shortages affecting rural supply chains as well as the mining and agricultural sectors.

Meanwhile, the European Commission said it will advise member governments to exercise flexibility in enforcing European Union rules on gas imports, amid concerns that strict compliance could slow the delivery of liquefied natural gas shipments needed to stabilise supply.

Plans unveiled during the opening of China’s annual parliamentary session last week placed artificial intelligence at the center of the country’s economic strategy, outlining ambitions to use the technology to raise productivity and address structural challenges including an ageing workforce and slowing growth.

Chinese policymakers said large-scale deployment of artificial intelligence could help offset labour shortages and support economic expansion in the coming years. Officials have framed the technology as a key pillar in modernizing the economy and boosting industrial efficiency.

Government plans emphasize the “job-creation” potential of artificial intelligence over the next five years, positioning it as a tool to stimulate productivity across sectors while supporting broader economic reforms.

The strategy comes as global debate intensifies over the potential impact of artificial intelligence on labour markets. While experts warn the technology could replace certain roles, Chinese officials have sought to reassure the public that new sectors and services will generate additional employment opportunities.

Policymakers have also acknowledged that adjustments to welfare systems may be necessary as the labour market evolves alongside technological change, particularly for younger workers entering the workforce.

Educational institutions across China have begun expanding programmes aimed at preparing students and workers for an economy increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence. Universities are promoting reskilling initiatives designed to equip graduates with technical and digital capabilities aligned with emerging industries.

The initiatives form part of a broader effort to integrate advanced technologies into the country’s long-term economic development strategy while addressing demographic and productivity challenges.

.Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the annual parliamentary session in Beijing, Wang said authorities are working to expand job opportunities and mitigate pressures facing key segments of the workforce.Employment policy focusWang, who heads China’s Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security of China, said the government would prioritise employment policies aimed at supporting young people, university graduates and migrant workers, groups considered particularly sensitive to shifts in the labour market.

The comments were delivered during the annual meeting of the National People’s Congress, China’s top legislative body, where policymakers are outlining economic priorities and social policies for the coming years.Labour challenges emergeChina’s labour market has faced structural pressures in recent years, including demographic shifts, slower economic growth and evolving industrial demands. Officials have also acknowledged that technological advances, particularly in artificial intelligence and automation, could reshape employment patterns across multiple sectors.Wang said the government remains confident it can maintain employment stability while adapting to these changes, describing job creation and workforce support as key priorities in the country’s long-term economic strategy.

Focus on workforce inclusionThe minister said Beijing intends to strengthen measures that encourage hiring and expand employment channels, particularly for graduates entering the workforce and migrant labourers who make up a significant share of China’s urban employment base.Chinese authorities have frequently emphasised labour market stability as a cornerstone of economic and social policy, particularly during periods of structural transformation and technological change.