Chinese Vice-President Zeng Qinghong paid a visit to Shanxi Province, north China, from September 7-11, urging the country's largest coal production base to develop in a scientific way and achieve coordinated, sustainable development.

During his stay, the vice president visited local companies in the coal, steel and machinery industries as well as some villages in Changzhi, Jincheng and Taiyuan cities.

In talks with local officials, Zeng supported the province's efforts to develop a new energy industry and coal-based chemical industry and its goal to become a major economic and cultural power in the country.

He also praised Shanxi for its creative approach to implementing the "New Village" strategy. In coal-producing areas, for instance, each coal mine is obliged to financially support one village.

Greater efforts should be made to improve people's lives, build a harmonious society, and maintain social stability, by increasing job opportunities, improving social security, and reorganizing distribution, the vice president said. He urged local authorities to minimize the number of coal mine accidents that are caused by disorders in the coal mining industry.

Regarding the forthcoming reshuffle of the provincial committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), he said it should be done in a wholly democratic manner, so as to select a new provincial Party leadership that is energetic, hard-working, and satisfactory to the people.

(Xinhua News Agency September 13, 2006)