Guideline points to safer city development

China has released a guideline on the safe development of cities, after a series of major accidents in recent years that have caused casualties and huge property losses.

The country must uphold the vision of people-centered development and never seek development at the cost of safety, according to a guideline from the general offices of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council.

By 2020, China aims to make "noticeable progress" in safe urban development, and create a number of demonstration cities in line with the objectives of becoming a moderately prosperous society in all respects, the guideline said.