Addressing a national televised conference, the vice-premier said the production safety situation in China remains serious with many problems yet to be solved.

In January alone, 156 people were killed in nine extremely serious industrial accidents, six of which are coal mine-related, the vice-premier said.

Despite calls and other efforts made last year by governments at all levels for improved production safety, the overall number of production accidents and the death toll continued to rise over the previous year, he said.

Wu said the Chinese government has decided to launch a nationwide campaign to ensure the regulation on hazardous chemicals be followed to the rule.

He called for efforts to ban unlicensed production, distribution, transportation and use of the hazardous chemicals according to the regulation.

Safety in coal production has been another priority task, said the vice-premier.

He also listed the production of explosives for civilian purposes, and firecrackers and fireworks as a major area for improved regulation.

The vice-premier also called for more efforts to reduce highway transportation accidents and rectify transportation orders on major rivers and sea routes.

(People's Daily February 8, 2002)