China's Ministry of Public Security has ordered local
fire-fighting departments to intensify monitoring of fire risks to
ensure safety during the festive season between the New Year and
the Spring Festival as well as the annual sessions of the NPC and
CPPCC.
The National People's Congress (NPC) is China's national
legislature and the National Committee of the Chinese People's
Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) is China's top advisory
body. Their annual sessions are usually held in March.
In a notice issued on Monday, the ministry's fire control bureau
asked local police to inspect fire-fighting equipment at key
government departments, shopping malls, hotels, schools, hospitals,
and venues involving the production, sale and storage of dangerous
chemicals.
Special teams must be sent to examine venues hosting festive
activities including temple fairs and lantern shows. The conference
rooms and media centers of the political sessions are also to be
inspected.
In winter, fatal fires were more frequent as crowds gathered and
the weather was drier with strong winds, the bureau warned.
Once fire risks were spotted, the relevant units should be
ordered to rectify them within a fixed period or have their licence
suspended, the notice said.
Fire-risk inspections should also be stepped up at recreational
venues to ensure sound patrol and fire-fighting equipment
management.
(Xinhua News Agency December 19, 2006)