Abandoned houses are seen in an area where land is sinking near a coal mine in Kouquan township of Datong, China's Shanxi province, August 1, 2016. Picture taken August 1, 2016. REUTERS/Jason Lee 

A pavilion and a stone bridge are seen in an area where land is sinking next to a coal mine in the deserted Liuguanzhuang village of Datong, China's Shanxi province, August 1, 2016. Picture taken August 1, 2016. REUTERS/Jason Lee

Ruins of abandoned cave houses are seen next to a coal mine in an area where land is sinking in the deserted Liuguanzhuang village of Datong, Shanxi province, China's Shanxi province, August 1, 2016. Picture taken August 1, 2016. REUTERS/Jason Lee

Abandoned houses are seen in an area where land is sinking near a coal mine in Kouquan township of Datong, China's Shanxi province, August 1, 2016. REUTERS/Jason Lee SEARCH "SINKING CHINA" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "THE WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

An abandoned workers' dormitory is seen next to a coal mine in an area where land is sinking in Yongdingzhuang village of Datong, China's Shanxi province, August 1, 2016. REUTERS/Jason Lee SEARCH "SINKING CHINA" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "THE WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

Damaged walls are seen inside an abandoned cave house in an area where land is sinking next to a coal mine in the deserted Liuguanzhuang village of Datong, China's Shanxi province, August 1, 2016. REUTERS/Jason Lee SEARCH "SINKING CHINA" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "THE WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Villagers sit on stairs outside an abandoned old theatre building in an area where land is sinking near a coal mine in Kouquan township of Datong, China's Shanxi province, August 1, 2016. REUTERS/Jason Lee SEARCH "SINKING CHINA" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "THE WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

A flower wall painting is seen in an area where land is sinking next to a coal mine in the deserted Liuguanzhuang village of Datong, China's Shanxi province, August 1, 2016. REUTERS/Jason Lee SEARCH "SINKING CHINA" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "THE WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

A hole and cracks are seen on the roof of an abandoned house in an area where land is sinking near a coal mine in Kouquan township of Datong, China's Shanxi province, August 1, 2016. REUTERS/Jason Lee SEARCH "SINKING CHINA" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "THE WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

A lion statue stands at the main entrance of an abandoned Liuguanzhuang village in an area where land is sinking next to a coal mine in Datong, China's Shanxi province, August 1, 2016. REUTERS/Jason Lee SEARCH "SINKING CHINA" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "THE WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

Villager Zhang Chungou walks out of a damaged house in an area where land is sinking next to a coal mine, in Shiyanzhuang village of Datong, China's Shanxi province, August 1, 2016. REUTERS/Jason Lee SEARCH "SINKING CHINA" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "THE WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

A man rides past an abandoned house in an area where land is sinking near a coal mine in Kouquan township of Datong, China's Shanxi province, August 1, 2016. REUTERS/Jason Lee SEARCH "SINKING CHINA" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "THE WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

Paintings are seen on a damaged wall inside an abandoned cave house in an area where land is sinking next to a coal mine, in the deserted Liuguanzhuang village of Datong, China's Shanxi province, August 1, 2016. REUTERS/Jason Lee SEARCH "SINKING CHINA" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "THE WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

A room that is no longer in use is seen inside Gao Xiuzhen's damaged house in an area where land is sinking next to a coal mine, in Shiyanzhuang village of Datong, China's Shanxi province, August 1, 2016. REUTERS/Jason Lee SEARCH "SINKING CHINA" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "THE WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

Gao Xiuzhen, 81, stands inside her damaged house in an area where land is sinking next to a coal mine, in Shiyanzhuang village of Datong, China's Shanxi province, August 1, 2016. REUTERS/Jason Lee SEARCH "SINKING CHINA" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "THE WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES.

A wedding picture and a poster with the image of China's late Chairman Mao Zedong are seen on a wall inside a damaged room of Zhang Chungou's house in an area where land is sinking next to a coal mine, in Shiyanzhuang village of Datong, China's Shanxi province, August 1, 2016. REUTERS/Jason Lee SEARCH "SINKING CHINA" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "THE WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. 

Muslims attend a massive prayer session next to crop fields near a mosque during Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan, in Datong county, Qinghai province, China, July 17, 2015. Hundreds of worshippers prayed outdoors on Friday due to the limited size of the local mosque. REUTERS/Simon Zo

Locals read Chinese newspapers displayed on a public notice board in central Beijing March 23, 2011. China's ruling Communist Party has countered the West's air strikes against Libya's Muammar Gaddafi with a torrent of such criticisms in state-run newspapers and television, mounting a propaganda campaign to deter the public from any temptation to copy Arab insurrections against authoritarian rulers. The media drive shows how nervous China's leaders are about any challenges to their firm hold on power, and especially about online comments that Western action in Libya shows the supremacy of international human rights standards, said Li Datong, a former editor at a Chinese party newspaper. REUTERS/David Gray (CHINA - Tags: POLITICS MEDIA) 

A local man reads Chinese newspapers displayed on a public notice board in central Beijing March 23, 2011. China's ruling Communist Party has countered the West's air strikes against Libya's Muammar Gaddafi with a torrent of such criticisms in state-run newspapers and television, mounting a propaganda campaign to deter the public from any temptation to copy Arab insurrections against authoritarian rulers. The media drive shows how nervous China's leaders are about any challenges to their firm hold on power, and especially about online comments that Western action in Libya shows the supremacy of international human rights standards, said Li Datong, a former editor at a Chinese party newspaper. REUTERS/David Gray (CHINA - Tags: POLITICS MEDIA) 

A local man reads Chinese newspapers displayed on a public notice board in central Beijing March 23, 2011. China's ruling Communist Party has countered the West's air strikes against Libya's Muammar Gaddafi with a torrent of such criticisms in state-run newspapers and television, mounting a propaganda campaign to deter the public from any temptation to copy Arab insurrections against authoritarian rulers. The media drive shows how nervous China's leaders are about any challenges to their firm hold on power, and especially about online comments that Western action in Libya shows the supremacy of international human rights standards, said Li Datong, a former editor at a Chinese party newspaper. REUTERS/David Gray (CHINA - Tags: POLITICS MEDIA) 

Locals read Chinese newspapers displayed on a public notice board in central Beijing March 23, 2011. China's ruling Communist Party has countered the West's air strikes against Libya's Muammar Gaddafi with a torrent of such criticisms in state-run newspapers and television, mounting a propaganda campaign to deter the public from any temptation to copy Arab insurrections against authoritarian rulers. The media drive shows how nervous China's leaders are about any challenges to their firm hold on power, and especially about online comments that Western action in Libya shows the supremacy of international human rights standards, said Li Datong, a former editor at a Chinese party newspaper. REUTERS/David Gray (CHINA - Tags: POLITICS MEDIA) 

Bicycles sit parked on a footpath in front of locals reading Chinese newspapers displayed on a public notice board in central Beijing March 23, 2011. China's ruling Communist Party has countered the West's air strikes against Libya's Muammar Gaddafi with a torrent of such criticisms in state-run newspapers and television, mounting a propaganda campaign to deter the public from any temptation to copy Arab insurrections against authoritarian rulers. The media drive shows how nervous China's leaders are about any challenges to their firm hold on power, and especially about online comments that Western action in Libya shows the supremacy of international human rights standards, said Li Datong, a former editor at a Chinese party newspaper. REUTERS/David Gray (CHINA - Tags: POLITICS) 

A villager walks with a flashlight in front of the Datong second coal-fired power plant at night on the outskirts of Datong, Shanxi province, November 20,2009. China will raise power prices for non-residential users by around 5.4 percent from Friday, the first rise since July 2008, to compensate grid firms that lost out because of a government cap on prices. REUTERS/Jason Lee (CHINA BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT ENERGY) 

A general view of the Datong second coal-fired power plant at night on the outskirts of Datong, Shanxi province, November 20,2009. China will raise power prices for non-residential users by around 5.4 percent from Friday, the first rise since July 2008, to compensate grid firms that lost out because of a government cap on prices. REUTERS/Jason Lee (CHINA BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT ENERGY) 

A street lamp is seen in front of the Datong second coal-fired power plant at night on the outskirts of Datong, Shanxi province, November 20,2009. China will raise power prices for non-residential users by around 5.4 percent from Friday, the first rise since July 2008, to compensate grid firms that lost out because of a government cap on prices. REUTERS/Jason Lee (CHINA ENERGY ENVIRONMENT BUSINESS IMAGES OF THE DAY) 

A miner works underground in the Tashan coal mine on the outskirts of Datong, Shanxi province, November 20,2009. The Tashan coal mine produces about 15 million tons of coal per year with around 800 employees. REUTERS/Jason Lee (CHINA BUSINESS ENERGY) 

A miner works underground in the Tashan coal mine on the outskirts of Datong, Shanxi province, November 20, 2009. The Tashan coal mine produces about 15 million tons of coal per year with around 800 employees. REUTERS/Jason Lee (CHINA BUSINESS ENERGY IMAGES OF THE DAY) 

Miners stand in line underground in the Tashan coal mine on the outskirts of Datong, Shanxi province, November 20, 2009. The Tashan coal mine produces about 15 million tons of coal per year with around 800 employees. REUTERS/Jason Lee (CHINA BUSINESS ENERGY) 

A miner rests underground in the Tashan coal mine on the outskirts of Datong, Shanxi province, November 20,2009. The Tashan coal mine produces about 15 million tons of coal per year with around 800 employees. REUTERS/Jason Lee (CHINA BUSINESS ENERGY) 

A miner works underground in the Tashan coal mine on the outskirts of Datong, Shanxi province, November 20,2009. The Tashan coal mine produces about 15 million tons of coal per year with around 800 employees. REUTERS/Jason Lee (CHINA BUSINESS ENERGY) 

A miner works underground in the Tashan coal mine on the outskirts of Datong, Shanxi province, November 20, 2009. The Tashan coal mine produces about 15 million tons of coal per year with around 800 employees. REUTERS/Jason Lee (CHINA) 

A miner stands guard underground in the Tashan coal mine on the outskirts of Datong, Shanxi province November 20,2009. The Tashan coal mine produces about 15 million tons of coal per year with around 800 employees. REUTERS/Jason Lee (CHINA BUSINESS ENERGY) 

A woman walks in front of a coal-fired power plant on the outskirts of Datong, Shanxi province, November 20, 2009. China will raise power prices for non-residential users by around 5.4 percent from Friday, the first rise since July 2008, to compensate grid firms that lost out because of a government cap on prices. REUTERS/Jason Lee (CHINA BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT) 

A man walks near a coal-fired power plant on the outskirts of Datong, Shanxi province, November 20, 2009. China will raise power prices for non-residential users by around 5.4 percent from Friday, the first rise since July 2008, to compensate grid firms that lost out because of a government cap on prices. REUTERS/Jason Lee (CHINA ENERGY ENVIRONMENT BUSINESS) 

A woman walks in front of a coal-fired power plant on the outskirts of Datong, Shanxi province, November 20, 2009. China will raise power prices for non-residential users by around 5.4 percent from Friday, the first rise since July 2008, to compensate grid firms that lost out because of a government cap on prices. REUTERS/Jason Lee (CHINA BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT) 

A man walks in front of a coal-fired power plant on the outskirts of Datong, Shanxi province, November 20, 2009. China will raise power prices for non-residential users by around 5.4 percent from Friday, the first rise since July 2008, to compensate grid firms that lost out because of a government cap on prices. REUTERS/Jason Lee (CHINA BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT IMAGES OF THE DAY) 

A woman holds her baby as they walk in front of a coal-fired power plant on the outskirts of Datong, Shanxi province, November 20, 2009. China will raise power prices for non-residential users by around 5.4 percent from Friday, the first rise since July 2008, to compensate grid firms that lost out because of a government cap on prices. REUTERS/Jason Lee (CHINA ENERGY ENVIRONMENT BUSINESS) 

Villagers walk in front of a coal-fired power plant on the outskirts of Datong, Shanxi province, November 20, 2009. China will raise power prices for non-residential users by around 5.4 percent from Friday, the first rise since July 2008, to compensate grid firms that lost out because of a government cap on prices. REUTERS/Jason Lee (CHINA ENERGY ENVIRONMENT BUSINESS) 

A villager walks in front of a coal-fired power plant on the outskirts of Datong, Shanxi province, November 20, 2009. China will raise power prices for non-residential users by around 5.4 percent from Friday, the first rise since July 2008, to compensate grid firms that lost out because of a government cap on prices. REUTERS/Jason Lee (CHINA ENERGY ENVIRONMENT BUSINESS IMAGES OF THE DAY) 

A man walks in front of a power plant at the outskirts of Datong, Shanxi province, December 25, 2007. China will use 3 percent less energy to generate each dollar of national income this year than it did last year, an official with the economic planning agency said. REUTERS/Reinhard Krause (CHINA) 

A man walks in front of a power plant at the outskirts of Datong, Shanxi province, December 25, 2007. China will use 3 percent less energy to generate each dollar of national income this year than it did last year, an official with the economic planning agency said. REUTERS/Reinhard Krause (CHINA) 

A woman wears a facemask in front of a power plant at the outskirts of Datong, Shanxi province, December 25, 2007. China will use 3 percent less energy to generate each dollar of national income this year than it did last year, an official with the economic planning agency said. REUTERS/Reinhard Krause (CHINA) 

A man rides his tricycle in front of a power plant at the outskirts of Datong, Shanxi province, December 25, 2007. China will use 3 percent less energy to generate each dollar of national income this year than it did last year, an official with the economic planning agency said. REUTERS/Reinhard Krause (CHINA) 

Water vapour rises from cooling towers of a power plant at the outskirts of Datong, Shanxi province, December 25, 2007. China will use 3 percent less energy to generate each dollar of national income this year than it did last year, an official with the economic planning agency said. REUTERS/Reinhard Krause (CHINA) 

Water vapour rises from cooling towers of a power plant at the outskirts of Datong, Shanxi province, December 25, 2007. China will use 3 percent less energy to generate each dollar of national income this year than it did last year, an official with the economic planning agency said. REUTERS/Reinhard Krause (CHINA) 

A man performs a shadow play, also known as "Pi Ying Xi", while dubs in Datong County, west China's Qinghai province July 18, 2007. Shadow play is a Chinese folk opera art form originating from Shanxi province in west China. Picture taken July 18, 2007. REUTERS/Simon Zo (CHINA) 

Puppets are used to enact a scene in a shadow play, also known as "Pi Ying Xi", in Datong County, west China's Qinghai province July 18, 2007. Shadow play is a Chinese folk opera art form originating from Shanxi province in west China. Picture taken July 18, 2007. REUTERS/Simon Zo (CHINA) 

A labourer works at an aluminium factory in Datong County, western China's Qinghai province April 30, 2007. China's aluminium products output rose 43 percent in the first quarter of 2007, the statistics bureau said on Thursday, reflecting continued strong expansion by the nation's aluminium smelters. Picture taken April 30, 2007. REUTERS/Simon Zo (CHINA) 

A resident walks past a heat-engine plant in Datong county, northwestern China's Qinghai province, December 3, 2006. China's leaders recognise that tackling climate change is urgent and that reducing greenhouse gases does not mean slamming the brakes on growth, the author of an acclaimed report on global warming said. REUTERS/Simon Zo (CHINA) 

-PHOTO TAKEN 15JUN06-
An ethnic Tibetan rides his horse along the tracks of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway in Datong County, Haixi Prefecture, west China's Qinghai province, June 15, 2006. [The Qinghai-Tibet Railway will begin trial operations on July 1, 2006.] 

An ethnic Tibetan rides his horse along the tracks of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway in Datong County, Haixi Prefecture, west China's Qinghai province, June 15, 2006. The Qinghai-Tibet Railway will begin trial operations on July 1, 2006. Picture taken June 15, 2006. REUTERS/Joe Chan (CHINA) 

An ethnic Tibetan child plays with a Tibetan mastiff beside the tracks of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway in Datong County, Haixi Prefecture, west China's Qinghai province, June 15, 2006. The Qinghai-Tibet Railway will begin trial operations on July 1, 2006. Picture taken June 15, 2006. REUTERS/Joe Chan (CHINA) 

An ethnic Tibetan rides his horse along the tracks of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway in Datong County, Haixi Prefecture, west China's Qinghai province, June 15, 2006. The Qinghai-Tibet Railway will begin trial operations on July 1, 2006. Picture taken June 15, 2006. REUTERS/Joe Chan (CHINA) 

Huo Puyang, a Chinese woman plays with her cats at the balcony of her house in Datong Village of Fengxian District in Shanghai February 24, 2006. Huo, her husband, son and her daughter-in-law housed about 300 cats that they save from the streets in their house in Shanghai. 

Huo Puyang, a Chinese woman plays with her cats at the balcony of her house in Datong Village of Fengxian District in Shanghai February 24, 2006. Huo, her husband, son and her daughter-in-law housed about 300 cats that they save from the streets in their house in Shanghai. 

Duo Zirong, a Chinese woman brings food to her cats in her house in Datong Village of Fengxian District in Shanghai February 24, 2006. Duo Zirong, her husband, and parents-in-law housed about 300 cats that they save from the streets in their house in Shanghai. REUTERS/ Nir Elias 

Huo Puyang, a Chinese woman sits on her bed with her cats in her house in Datong Village of Fengxian District in Shanghai February 24, 2006. Huo, her husband, son and her daughter-in-law housed about 300 cats that they save from the streets in their house in Shanghai. REUTERS/ Nir Elias 

Huo Puyang, a Chinese woman plays with her cats at the balcony of her house in Datong Village of Fengxian District in Shanghai February 24, 2006. Huo, her husband, son and her daughter-in-law housed about 300 cats that they save from the streets in their house in Shanghai. REUTERS/ Nir Elias 

Huo Puyang's Cat rest at the window of her house in Datong Village of Fengxian District in Shanghai February 24, 2006. Huo, her husband, son and her daughter-in-law housed about 300 cats that they save from the streets in their house in Shanghai. REUTERS/ Aly Song 

Huo Puyang, a Chinese woman sits on her bed with her cats in her house in Datong Village of Fengxian District in Shanghai February 24, 2006. Huo, her husband, son and her daughter-in-law housed about 300 cats that they save from the streets in their house in Shanghai. REUTERS/ Nir Elias