Officials found reluctant to retract stakes in coal mines
By Jiang Zhuqing (China Daily)
Updated: 2005-09-23 05:57

Meanwhile, no officials in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, one of the major coal-producing areas in China, have declared interests in mines, Beijing-based China Youth Daily reported yesterday.

"I prefer quitting my official position to withdrawing shares (in coal mines)," the newspaper quoted an unnamed official as saying.

During the past years, authorities have tried various measures to improve mine safety but experts say they have been largely ineffective.

And the latest move seems to be no different, considering the implementation difficulties, argued Zhu Deren, vice-chairman of the China Association of Coal Industry.

"China has no shortage of safety and other regulations; the problem is the lack of enforcement," Zhu told China Daily.

If the government does not crack down, "who would admit he has invested in coal mines after he made huge profits," he said.

In Zhu's opinion, work safety is just one problem facing the coal industry. There should be an overall focus on resources and technology, he suggested. Besides, Zhu said, the many departments that have a say in the management of the industry are an obstacle to improvement of safety.

Collusion between owners and officials as well under-the-table transactions are to blame for the frequent coal-mine accidents, said Li Yizhong, head of SAWS, in an interview on Wednesday.

The work safety administration has ordered more than 7,000 mines, mostly small-scale, to half production until safety approvals are given; local governments trying to circumvent the order will be disciplined.