“I feel very sorry and deep remorse for the huge loss and causalities caused by Tianjin blasts, and as the chief of the Tianjin Party committee and municipal government, I have an unshirkable responsibility,” said Tianjin Mayor Huang Xingguo at a press conference on August 19.

The blasts in the Tianjin Binhai New Area have claimed 114 lives and left 64 missing as of August 19. Besides, around 17,000 houses have been damaged, 30,000 people affected, and more than 3,000 cars burnt.

People can’t help asking: why did such a fatal blast happen? Who should be accountable for the accident? Who should take the responsibility for the loss? 9 press conferences about Tianjin blasts have been held before August 19, but this had not eliminated public questions about Tianjin authority. “We haven’t done it right, but we will improve,” said Huang.

Tianjin has seen a fast-growing modern industry, commerce, and finance. It also took the lead in the construction of railway, mining, postal service, modern education, and justice buildings. In the 1930s, Tianjin published more than 30 kinds of newspaper with total volumes of 290,000, a great contribution to the development of modern journalism.

The city faces golden development opportunities such as the opening of Tianjin Binhai New Area, coordinated development of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region, “One Belt, One Road”, Free Trade Zone. Its past glory should not vanish due to these blasts.

The questions asked by the reporters in the press conferences are very tough, but the officials haven’t shirked them. Huang Xingguo even responded to sensitive questions “whether relevant officials of Tianjin Party committee and municipal government will admit responsibility and resign”. When the host prompted the time, Huang said “let them continue to ask”.

Tianjin officials including Huang Xingguo managed crises with a sincerity to protect Tianjin’s image. The press conference is effective “timely rain” for the “fire” of public sentiment.

Both Chinese and foreign journalists believed that the officials showed their sincerity in the tenth press conference. But whether Huang’s “remorse” can clear away negative comments is not known yet. Tianjin authorities should take real steps to heal the scars left in the hearts of victims and eliminate negative effects. 

This article was edited and translated from 《黄兴国直面尖锐问题 天津全力修复对外形象》,source: chinanews.com