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China Fails In Efforts To Close Unsafe Mines
Beijing (AFP) Jan 16, 2006 Nearly 60 percent of the mines ordered to shut down in China last year are continuing to operate, the government has admitted, highlighting the problems facing the notoriously dangerous industry. The ministry-level National Reform and Development Commission (NDRC) posted a circular on its website angrily rebuking local authorities who were involved in allowing the mines to continue operating. "Those engaged in rectifying and closing mines lack a correct understanding of the situation, do not have a firm attitude, take ineffective measures and are not doing their work," the circular said. "Some mines express little hope in the rectification... and instead, in the name of mine construction, technical renovation and resource accounting, continue illegal production and avoid mine closures." The commission said that of the 5,001 mines ordered to be shut down last year, only 2,157 had closed. The closure orders are part of the central government's efforts to raise safety standards in China's coal mining industry, which is regarded as the most dangerous in the world. China's national safety administration reported this month that 5,986 workers died in the nation's coal mines last year. Another 2,235 were killed in 1,857 ore mining accidents in China in 2005. Combined, an average of 22 people died each day last year working in China's coal and ore mines, according to the official figures. In some of the most major recent disasters, at least 91 people were killed last month in an explosion at a mine in the northern province of Hebei, while another 171 workers died after a blast in Heilongjiang province in November. Labor rights groups, such as the Hong Kong-based China Labour Bulletin, say the number of mining deaths could be as high as 20,000 each year as mine owners and operators cover up accidents to avoid costly shut downs and fines. The China Labour Bulletin said last year it doubted the ability of the central government to reform the industry. The only way to effectively address work safety in mines was to let miners organize independent trade unions to freely advocate for their own safety, the organization said. China's communist government has outlawed independent trade unions and organizes all workers under a national trade union run by the Communist Party and government. Another major concern has been the influence of local officials, many of whom have conflicting interests as monitors of the industry while also business stakeholders.
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Villagers Vow To Resume Land Protests In China's Guangdong
Beijing (AFP) Jan 16, 2006Thousands of villagers will resume protests over a government land grab in southern China's Guangdong province, residents said Monday, as more details emerged of a violent clash with police. |
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