Project safety, school enrollment among key issues

Several ministry-level departments, including those for housing and urban-rural development, education, and public security, have responded recently to issues of public concern.

Construction safety drive

The Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development has launched nationwide safety checks on construction projects and public facilities in urban areas in the wake of two accidents within a week.

The ministry said in a notice issued on Thursday that local authorities must step up safety checks to prevent hazards and accidents.

The move came after a collapse of a factory wall in Shanghai's Changning district claimed the lives of 10 people on May 16. In another accident, four people died and 87 were injured when the roof of a bar collapsed in Baise, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, on May 20.

The ministry said ongoing projects that have yet to obtain construction permits and projects that are constructed illegally will be a priority for safety checks.

The notice said no projects or equipment should be left unchecked during the safety check, and those found guilty of wrongdoing must be held accountable.