A city of smokestacks, toxins and, for many, home

The taxi is running on a two-lane road at 9 pm in Ganjingzi, the "poorest district in Dalian," the drivers said. On one side of the road stands the China National Petroleum Corp (CNPC) Dalian plant. Opposite the plant gate is the residential area for workers and their families.

It is so quiet, even peaceful, that to an outsider it seems as if the fire that broke out a few hours ago in a 5,000-cubic-meter oil tank did not happen at all.

That was the fifth major incident at the plant in 14 months. After all the fires, explosion and leakage, I am expecting a city filled with anger and dissatisfaction.