CNBC:

The recent aircraft and railway accidents are the first domestic accidents to have taken place in several years. What will be done to investigate the cause of the accidents? What measures will be taken, and what investment will be made to ensure passengers' safety? Thank you.

Dong Zhiyi:

Thank you for your question. After the China Eastern Airlines Flight MU5735 aircraft accident on March 21, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) launched a technical investigation of the accident in accordance with China's relevant laws and regulations as well as the Conventions on International Civil Aviation. On April 20, we released a preliminary report and gave a briefing on the investigation of the accident. At present, investigators are carrying out in-depth examination of debris and material evidence, flight-data analysis, experimental verification, and other related work in strict accordance with the investigation procedures. As the investigation proceeds, the CAAC will release the latest progress and relevant information in accordance with laws and regulations in a timely and accurate manner. 

After the aircraft accident on March 21, the CAAC immediately launched the safety overhaul of the civil aviation sector, focusing on six aspects: understanding and thinking; selection of officials; implementation of rules, regulations, and standards; management chains; capacity of logistics; and delivery of duties. Fully implementing the instructions of leaders of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on ensuring safety in the civil aviation sector and organizing study sessions on the guiding principles of the national teleconference on workplace safety, the CAAC divided the rules of workplace safety into 15 hard measures in line with the plans made by the Work Safety Commission of the State Council. Since, we have been strengthening the screening of potential safety hazards in the civil aviation sector, launching a special campaign to prevent and defuse major risks. In particular, the CAAC recently initiated a whistleblower campaign in the civil aviation sector. The campaign aims to strengthen the oversight of officials and staff at all levels involving safety in the civil aviation sector and to fully mobilize workers on the ground to engage in security management and report safety hazards so that risks in aviation operations can be directly identified and prevented in a timely manner. 

Safety is the lifeline of the civil aviation sector. In line with the principle of putting people and their lives first, China will take comprehensive measures to improve safety in the civil aviation sector and proactively forestall major risks to ensure the absolute safety of airline operations and people's lives. 

An Lusheng:

I would like to add a few words. The bullet train D2809 from Guiyang to Guangzhou derailed at 10:22 a.m. on June 4 in a tunnel approaching Rongjiang Station, southwest Guizhou province, leaving one train driver died, and 12 others injured. Among the injured were two train attendants and 10 passengers. We felt deeply distressed to hear the accident. The national railway operator immediately launched an emergency response after the accident, sending a working group to the scene and making all-out efforts to rescue and assist in the aftermath with local governments. A preliminary probe showed that two of the bullet train's carriages came off the tracks at a point that had been covered by mud and rockslides caused by continuous rainfall and short periods of heavy rainfall in the area. The train was traveling at a very high speed.

After the accident, the railway sector launched safety inspections during flood season, with special attention to key areas and routes, such as tunnel entrances and sharp slopes. We also improved the alert system, enhancing monitoring of natural disasters, implementing a reporting system regarding railway safety, and establishing a communication mechanism between the railway and the public security departments, aiming to build a safety barrier during flood season to ensure safe travel. Thank you.

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