China Vows to Improve Industrial, Traffic Safety

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 ◆ China Vows to Improve Industrial, Traffic Safety

A decision was announced Tuesday toconduct a nationwide inspection of industrial and traffic safety standards, a move taken in the wake of several fatal industrial accidents, and two aircraft crashes since April 15.

Addressing a national video teleconference on industrial safety,Vice-Premier Wu Bangguo called on local governments at various levels across China to continue their efforts to prevent fatal industrial accidents.

Despite a noticeable drop in the number of major accidents and deaths in the 15 months prior to April, the situation has deteriorated since then, said the vice-premier.

Major accidents have occurred one after another since April, Wu said.

He singled out the recent air traffic accidents, the fatal plane crashes on April 15 and May 7, which killed nearly 200 people.

The vice-premier urged leading government officials at all levels to take responsibility for industrial safety.

Wu emphasized the need to improve safety in civil aviation, railways, highways, shipping, oil and petrochemical industries and electric power and involving military sectors which constitute key areas requiring improvement to prevent major fatal accidents.

Meanwhile, he said, great efforts should be made across the country to ensure the safety management of dangerous chemicals, and safety in coal mining industry, in handling and use of explosives for civilian use, and concerning fireworks and firecrackers, and fire prevention in public places, Wu told the conference.

He warned that officials who fail to perform their duty to improve industrial safety will be punished or brought to justice according to law.