|
Letters and Blogs
(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-09-15 07:54 Prevent tragedies from recurring Commenting on "Blast in C. China illegal mine kills 35" (China Daily website) Mining accidents have at all times been a big headache in China for many years now. Though the government has taken several strict measures, the casualties in illegal mines are still on the rise. Today, one periodically comes across this kind of reports again in the newspapers. Another gas explosion occurred in China's Henan province, and the death toll in Henan is 1,700 in the first eight months of this year. Why are there so many accidents in China? Some of the reasons, according to my understanding, are given below. First, our government has indeed adopted some strict measures and rules to shut down the illegal coalmines. But the rules didn't make a real difference to the illegal collieries. Second, there is a proverb "when there are policies from above, there will be countermeasures from below". Every policy has its flaws that leave room for unscrupulous persons to evade or violate it. All five officials mentioned in the article have been dismissed, including three who work as safety supervisors. If we want to avoid similar tragedies from happening again, the only way is to improve the moral consciousness and working attitude. The government should not only lay down strict laws, but also ensure that it is implemented properly. Meanwhile, the punishment for criminals conducting illegal mines is too lenient. Zang Hanfen via e-mail Edits substantive; distortions loom Dear Sir, I was troubled and disappointed to find my op-ed, "Clean-tech push to lift Sino-US ties to new high", Sept 10, substantially re-edited before appearing in print on these pages. Your edits were substantive as well as stylistic, and distorted a number of essential points the original piece was trying to make. Most importantly, one of your edits could have been read to suggest that I advocate the abolition of US export controls. I do not. In fact, I support targeted US export controls that are consistent with US national security and foreign policy objectives. The Honorable Mario Mancuso Former US under secretary of commerce via e-mail (China Daily 09/15/2009 page8) |
