Chinese state councilor orders overhaul of hazardous chemical businesses

Chinese State Councilor Wang Yong on Monday ordered thorough checks of businesses that deal with hazardous chemicals and explosive goods.

Immediate measures should be taken to fix safety loopholes found in the checks, Wang said during a visit to north China's Hebei Province to inspect the implementation of a special workplace safety campaign.

Lessons must be learned from the recent Tianjin warehouse explosions, Wang said, urging effective precautions to prevent serious accidents.

During the tour, Wang visited local chemical enterprises, wharfs, refinery plants and storage facilities to check on workplace safety.

Noting that a series of recent severe accidents have caused "extremely heavy losses," Wang urged officials and operators to be highly vigilant and remain alert in enforcing workplace safety rules and intensifying supervision.

He said the entire hazardous goods process, from the projects' planning, design and approval to production and storage, must be scrutinized.