Briefly

Death toll rises to 5 in factory fire

Five people were killed after a fire engulfed a factory building of a medical device manufacturer on Tuesday in Jiangxi province, local authorities said on Wednesday. The fire broke out in the German-funded factory operated by Fresenius Kabi (Nanchang) Co Ltd. in the provincial capital of Nanchang at approximately 3:40 pm on Tuesday, according to the Nanchang economic and technological development zone. As of 2:35 am on Wednesday, the rescue operation had been completed. The death toll rose from three to five after two missing people were confirmed dead. One injured is undergoing treatment with stable conditions. Further investigations are underway.

Beijing bans fireworks throughout city

Beijing's municipal authorities will ban the use of fireworks throughout the city from January. With the ban, fireworks will not be available to purchase at retail outlets in the city during the Spring Festival of 2022, the office of the Beijing municipal fireworks safety management coordination group announced on Tuesday. The ban, however, will not cover Universal Beijing Resort, which will be permitted to stage fireworks displays approved by police authorities, the office said. Any official fireworks displays during celebrations and holidays will be approved and announced by the Beijing municipal government. In December 2017, Beijing authorities passed a revised regulation banning fireworks in the city proper in light of the air pollution and casualties caused by the products. District authorities outside the Fifth Ring Road can set fixed areas where fireworks are banned or restricted. So far, all districts except Fangshan and Mentougou have banned fireworks. The two suburban districts will join the complete ban starting Jan 1.

Plan unveiled for water conservation

Chinese authorities have issued a plan to improve the conservation and utilization of water resources in the Yellow River basin, as part of the country's efforts to advance ecological protection and the high-quality development of the region. By 2025, water consumption per 10,000 yuan ($1,570) of GDP in the Yellow River basin should be capped below 47 cubic meters, down 16 percent from the 2020 level, according to the plan jointly released by the National Development and Reform Commission and three other ministries. The utilization rate of reclaimed water in cities with water shortages at or above the prefectural level along the upper reaches of the Yellow River will be over 25 percent by 2025, the plan said. In cities along the middle and lower reaches, the utilization rate will be 30 percent. The plan called for strengthened water conservation in the fields of irrigation, animal husbandry and fisheries, facilitating an industrial upgrade to promote water saving, and encouraging people to save water.

Xinhua