Tianjin overhauls dangerous chemicals firms one year after deadly blasts

Binhai New Area in north China's Tianjin Municipality has completely overhauled 583 dangerous chemicals companies, a year after a deadly explosion.

On Aug. 12 last year, the Tianjin Port was rocked by blasts at a chemical warehouse that claimed the lives of more than 160 people.

Sixty eight chemicals firms have since been ordered to shut down or relocate and the rest have rectified safety problems and resumed production, said Xia Qinglin, vice director of Binhai New Area.

During the past year, the district has improved supervision of chemicals firms to ensure safe production, said Xia.

Authorities have checked up on chemical firms and fireworks plants during a 100-day campaign and uncovered 3,616 problems. Of them, 3,606 have been rectified.

Authorities also have set up a 24-hour monitoring over 249 chemicals firms in the district.

(APD)