China vows to ensure safety after tragedies   

国务院副总理马凯：上海踩踏事件社会影响极其恶劣

今天下午，全国安全生产电视电话会议召开。会议总结了2014年全国安全生产工作，分析了当前安全生产形势，全面部署了当前和2015年安全生产工作，并对“春节”前后和“两会”期间的安全生产工作提出了明确要求。国务院副总理马凯在讲话中指出，迎新年之夜上海市外滩发生群众聚集踩踏事件，导致36人死亡、47人受伤，社会影响极其恶劣。[查看全文]

The Chinese central government pledged on Tuesday to strengthen efforts to prevent accidents after several accidents caused heavy casualties during the New Year holiday.

The meeting said governments should take rapid action to ensure safety after an extremely bitter lesson, in a telephone conference on production safety of the State Council, China's Cabinet.

The governments should strengthen management of transport during the Spring Festival, the meeting said.

The meeting also demanded an overall examination of production safety to eliminate any hazards and make preparation to respond rapidly if accidents occur.

A stampede in Shanghai killed 36 people during the New Year's Eve celebrations, followed by a serious fire on Jan. 2 in the northeastern city of Harbin that killed five firefighters.

Shanghai New Year stampede kills 36

Identities of Shanghai stampede victims verified