It is not easy for an energy-rich province to feel the pinch of energy crisis, but it is of much significance for such a place to exercise frugality and cultivate such awareness.

North China's Shanxi, the country's largest coal producer, is such a place.

The provincial government announced on Wednesday the designation of every first Friday in June and September as the days for people all over the province to feel the pain of energy crisis. On both days, all government buildings lower than five stories will switch off their elevators, part of the elevators in higher government office buildings will also be suspended and all government employees including ranking officials must take public transport or cycle to work.