Below is the American news about China that I read today. It is written from the American’s perspective. What is your opinion as a Chinese?
Three people sentenced to life imprisonment for mine blast claiming 105 lives in N. China
25/2/2008 16:57
Three people were sentenced to life imprisonment (无期徒刑) for a coal mine gas blast (瓦斯爆炸) that killed 105 miners and injured 18 others in north China's Shanxi Province in December last year.
The three are legal representative Wang Hongliang, investor Wang Donghai of Ruizhiyuan Coal Mining Co Ltd, and Kong Huiping, a manager in charge of production of Xinyao Coal Mine managed by the company, according to the ruling of a public trial held in a stadium in Linfen City yesterday.
Thirteen other managers, including the colliery manager Gao Jianmin, vice manager Qin Sanshun, were also given jail terms(刑期)ranging from one year to 20 years, said the city court.
The company was fined 185.2 million yuan (US$24.7 million) for illegal trade of explosives, illegal operation of unproved coal bed (煤层)and evading tax(逃避税).
The explosion took place at 11:15 p.m. on Dec. 5 at Xinyao Coal Mine, Hongtong County, when 128 miners were working in the shaft(矿井;竖井) far more than the maximum of 60 miners for one shift as approved by Shanxi coal mine authority.
The accident left 105 people dead, eight injured and also caused an economic loss of 42 million yuan (US$5.6 million).
The court said the Ruizhiyuan company kept increasing the output of No. 2 coal bed in the Xinyao Coal Mine since 2004. It also worked on the No. 9 coal bed without approval, despite its designed production capacity of 210,000 tons a year. To conceal their illegal operation, the company even built a secret pass between the two coal beds and closed the entrance during authorities' inspection.
The explosion occurred in a 40-meter tunnel of the No. 9 coal bed which was not equipped with any ventilating facilities(通风的设施). Gas density accumulated beyond the safety required limit and the sparks triggered the blast.
The colliery managers delayed reporting the accident to local authorities while sending other workers down the shaft for rescue operations.
Bloodier Coal
News today that three managers received life terms for an explosion that killed 105 miners in early December of last year. Thirteen other heavy sentences were handed out to other executives who were running the mine at nearly double approved production rates, totally ignoring safety regulations and all the depressingly familiar shenanigans(鬼把戏) mine owners get up to. Is this likely to be a deterrent (威慑力量) to other coal mine owners? Not a chance. With the price of coal having risen almost 20 per cent in the last year, the incentives(刺激) for owners of small scale mines (the big, state owned mines have a semi-respectable safety record) to cut corners (走近路) are even greater. And sadly, with the country even more desperate for coal after those terrible winter storms, the progress that has been made in lowering mine deaths (down 20 per cent last year to around 4000 officially, though the real numbers are probably three to four times that) is very likely to be reversed. Already during the crisis, the government was forced to allow thousands of small mines --precisely the type where the worst abuses take place-- to reopen. In which case, you can be sure that many, many more unofficial mines will also be emboldened (使大胆) to reopen. Grim (严厉的) times ahead for miners and their families, who more than any other group are paying the price for China's boom in blood and anguish(极度的痛苦).
And here are the comments of common Americans
Reader Comments (3)
Its indeed very unfortunate that so many lives have lost in the coal mining industry in China. The Chinese government are smart though in placing bets in hydro and nuclear power.
"though the real numbers are probably three to four times that" - what information does Simon have to back this up?
Also, Simon seems to be placing blame on the Chinese government on mining related deaths - is that fair? In the U.S.A., there are about 50,000 deaths related to auto accidents. How much heat should Bush take on that?
Bush should take on all the heat on traffic deaths and all other deaths occuring in the US and anywhere else on earth, especially the coal mining deaths in China.
If the US people do not use any Chinese goods, China don't have to manufacture any of those, saving a lot of energy. China won't have to generate the power to manufacture these goods, and hence won't need so much coal. If coal is not in demand, these people won't have to work in mines at all, and the Chinese government won't have to regulate and supervise all these mines, especially won't have to care about any safety issues.
It is all Bush's fault.
LOL, John Smith, you seems to have so much hatred for China. Why is that?
1. Are you related to Chen Sui Bian? If you are, I have a secret to share with you. lol. Nah, never mind, I won't share with you.
Each year China's GDP grows 10%, its another nail in the coffin for whatever cause you have.
2. Were you borned on the mainland and maybe something nasty happened to your family under Mao's rein?
3. You a humble servant of the Falun Gong cult?
Give us a hint. We like to understand where your hatred comes from.
Remember, this is hatred for a people that's 1.3 billion strong. That's a LOT of hate!
