The local government should take timely action on media reports,
says a commentary of the Beijing News. An excerpt
follows:
Chenzhou, a city in Hunan Province in central China, made
headlines over the weekend.
The local government reportedly asked small coal mines to give
their workers leave and to shut down the mines before an inspection
group from the central government arrived. In this way, the small
mines could avoid inspection.
The inspection group started its tour in early February to check
coal mine safety in the 10 provinces with coal mines. With 409 coal
mines, more than one fourth of Hunan Province's total, Chenzhou is
a primary stop for the inspectors.
According to CCTV reports, many coal mines were operating until
the day before the group's arrival on February 3. Since the
inspection schedule was leaked, it was natural for mines with
illegal activities to cover up.
The CCTV reporters also found that many small coal mines still
in operation should have been closed long ago because of lack of
safety measures.
The Chenzhou government should make timely clarification to the
public on the CCTV reports.
If these reports are found to be accurate, it is also the
government's responsibility to punish those responsible.
Not long ago, the Chenzhou government announced that it was
willing to be open to the media as well as to the public. It even
said reporters who supervise on the government would be
rewarded.
Now it is time to fulfill this announcement.
(China Daily February 13, 2007)