Vice-Premier Huang Ju has called for adopting comprehensive and preventive measures, increasing investment in industrial safety, and stepping up supervision, in order to curb the trend of industrial accidents related to dangerous or chemical goods.

Huang, who is also a member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Political Bureau, highlighted the importance of production safety at Tuesday's teleconference on industrial safety, by stressing that industrial safety is in connection with reform, development and stability.

A series of leakage or explosion of chemicals in some places have brought about severe losses of lives and properties, Huang said.

He ordered to launch a nationwide check on the safety of dangerous and chemical goods; step up efforts to upgrade those plants that are engaged in manufacturing or selling these products; work out a mechanism for handling accidents involving dangerous or chemical goods; step up training of factory staff on the issue of production safety; and severely punish those responsible for the accidents.

(Xinhua News Agency April 28, 2004)