China Daily reported that 6000 coal mines will be closed over the next two years in a bid to improve workplace safety.
It quoted Mr Zhang Dejiang vice premier of China as saying that by the end of 2010, China will have less than 10,000 mines, down from about 16,000 now.
Mr Zhang said that in the first 10 months of 2008, the number of people killed in coal mine accidents fell 13.5% on the same period of 2007. He added that since 2003, the government has spent more than CNY 87 billion on technical innovations for the coal industry, and over the same period, the annual number of workplace accidents has fallen every.
Mr Zhao Tiechui vice minister of the state administration of work safety said that more small coal mines and chemical plants should be shut down as they are a source of pollution and hazardous to workers.
He said that too many companies have a shortsighted view, concentrating solely on profits and not paying enough attention to safety concerns. The government has always emphasized the importance of safe development as a key part of its scientific outlook on development.
He also noted that despite a reduction in the number of workplace accidents since 2003, the situation has still not fundamentally improved. He urges governments, and especially senior officials, to pay more attention to safety in the workplace in order to achieve sustainable economic development and social stability.