China to strengthen production safety supervision

Chinese leaders have urged continued efforts to improve production safety supervision and guard against floods in areas battered by downpours.

President Xi Jinping asked both Party and government officials to raise awareness of production safety and regard major accident prevention as a top priority during a meeting of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.

China will strive to enhance production safety technology, Xi said, promising a series of safety projects to be launched soon for coal mining, hazardous chemical substance management and road transportation.

The production safety management system will be improved, with clearer checklists for power and responsibility, stronger law enforcement and better implementation, he said.

Xi called for better emergency response and rescue, as well as improved supervision in development zones, industrial parks, ports and scenic spots.

During the current flood season, Party committees and governments at all levels should strengthen flood control efforts and earnestly protect people's life and property, Xi added.

Echoing Xi's remarks, Premier Li Keqiang said in a written instruction that there are still hazards and loopholes in the country's production safety management as exposed by major accidents in the first half of the year.

China should accelerate formulating and perfecting laws and standards in the field, Li said.

Li also stressed extreme weather forecasting and early warnings, as well as emergency response.

During a State Council meeting on Wednesday, Vice Premier Ma Kai asked officials to follow Xi's remarks on production safety during the remainder of the year.

Ma reiterated production safety in mining, tailing pond operation, hazardous substance management, construction site supervision, transportation and tourism.

State Councilor Guo Shengkun and Wang Yong also attended the meeting. Endi