The national legislature yesterday heard reports on economic and
social development and work safety, which said land used for grain
production is increasing, overheated investment in fixed assets has
been reined in and progress has been made in mine safety despite
appalling conditions.
The reports were made to the Standing Committee of the 10th
National People's Congress (NPC),
currently meeting in Beijing.
The minister of the National Development and Reform Commission,
Ma Kai, said the economy has maintained steady and rapid growth
while all social undertakings have made headway, but many factors
hold back further increases in grain output and farmers'
income.
In his report on the implementation of this year's plan for
national economic and social development, he said all but three
mainland provinces scrapped agriculture tax this year, expected to
alleviate farmers' financial burden by at least 22 billion yuan
(US$2.7 billion).
With regard to investment, Ma said a batch of projects were
suspended due to violation of land and environmental protection
statutes and industrial policies, but investment policy favored
agriculture, manufacture, railway transport and health sectors.
Investment in fixed assets in urban areas had expanded by 27.2
percent in the first seven months of this year, down 3.9 percentage
points year-on-year, while investment in property grew 23.5 percent
by July, down 5.1 percentage points, he said.
Senior legislator Li
Tieying told the NPC that work safety law should be steadfastly
enforced, and proposed that "the State Council and relevant
departments ensure a drastic reduction in the number of gas
explosion accidents in coal mines within two years... and resolve
the problem of smaller mines within about three years."
Li, vice-chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, headed a
four-month tour to check on implementation of the 2002 Law on Work
Safety, paying particular attention to coal mines. He said the
findings were appalling, though overall, the statute had brought
positive results.
"As shown by the experience of some collieries, gas explosions
can be prevented by enhancing site management and implementing a
production safety responsibility system," Li said.
As smaller mines crank out one-third of China's coal production,
but account for at least two-thirds of mining deaths, Li said the
State Council should completely reorganize their governance and
that no new small mines should be allowed to open before then.
He said regulations regarding work injury insurance should be
implemented as soon as possible; all high-risk sectors, including
mining, must implement an insurance system by the end of next
year.
In addition to having new recruits sign labor contracts with
mine operators, enterprises should also strengthen training and
reduce stresses placed on workers, Li said.
(China Daily August 26, 2005)