What should get priority: the interest of enterprises or the interest of workers? The GDP-oriented development is in a dilemma now.

Enterprises, such as those in Kunshan, which are pillars of the local economy, are essential for the local job market. But should safety standards be undermined at the cost of ordinary workers to keep the enterprises robust as China's economy slows down?

These are philosophical questions. Yet they are of utmost importance. Failing to answer them in a clear manner will allow enterprises to continue their current unethical practices of ignoring workers' safety and environmental concerns, which could ultimately lead to more deadly accidents.

The author is head of China Economic Policy at Nottingham University Business School, China and Global Policy Institute and professor of finance at Zhejiang University.