Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Dejiang has called on more efforts to reduce workplace accidents.

Zhang made the remarks at a meeting held by the safe production commission under the State Council, or the cabinet, saying that China's central government has always paid much attention to workplace safety.

Workplace accidents dropped 6.5 percent so far this year from the previous year and the death toll was down by 10.8 percent, Zhang said.

But workplace safety faces severe challenges as problems have surfaced recently with frequent accidents and insufficient investigations into the accidents, he said.

More efforts should be made to crack down on illegal production, overhaul key sectors like coal mines, transportation, dangerous chemicals and fireworks and enhance safety monitoring in city planning, he said.