Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, January 08, 2004
Cabinet meets on railway development, industrial safety
A State Council executive meeting was convened here Wednesday to approve, in principle, a long-term plan for the development of China's railway system, a draft provision on licenses for industrial safety licenses, and a resolution on strengthening industrial safety.
A State Council executive meeting was convened here Wednesday to approve, in principle, a long-term plan for the development of China's railway system, a draft provision on licenses for industrial safety licenses, and a resolution on strengthening industrial safety.
According to the meeting, it is necessary to accelerate the development of the railway system to ensure sustained rapid economic growth. An overall plan should be made for the construction of the entire communications system composed of railways, airlines, shipping and pipe transportation under the guiding principle of sustainable development in an all-round and well coordinated way.
The effort to step up the modernization of railways must be based on localization while introducing and absorbing advanced experience and technology of other countries so as to strengthen the industry's creativeness and bring about the development of related industries.
It is also important to push forward reforms in the systems concerning railway construction, management and operation, and to diversify the source of investment for a better efficiency.
The meeting highlighted the importance of industrial safety, stressing that industrial safety is a long-term task for all. More investment will be made and related laws and regulations will be improved, while professional training will be strengthened and the general public and news media be mobilized for a joint effort to prevent major accidents.
The draft provision on licenses for industrial safety will go into force after being further amended by the State Council, according to the meeting.