China is determined to step up gas control in major state-owned coal mines, since gas explosions have been listed as the No. 1 killer of miners in this country.

Wang Xianzheng, director of the State Administration of Coal Mine Safety, made the remarks at a meeting in Tieling city, northeast China's Liaoning Province, which was ended Friday.

A total of 45 mines in major coal production bases including Kailuan of Hebei Province, Datong of Shanxi Province and Fuxin of Liaoning Province are on the top list.

These mines are required to report regularly to regional safety offices. Meanwhile, the administration will send specialists and technicians to local mines to act as supervisors, and the public will be invited to monitor the situation, according to the meeting's decision.

(Xinhua News Agency August 31, 2002)