Vice premier stresses safe operation of railways

China's railway sector that is experiencing a massive reshuffle should always prioritize safe operation, Vice Premier Ma Kai said Monday.

Ma made the remarks during an inspection in Zhengzhou, capital of central China's Henan Province. He said safety is an important measurement of railway reform.

The government earlier this month announced to divided the Ministry of Railways into two parts to carry out administrative and commercial functions, respectively.

The former ministry was both a policymaker and service provider and has long been criticized for ticketing problems, bureaucracy and deadly rail accidents.

Ma said the reforms are conducive to resolving the structural problems that have hampered the development of railways, as well as improving their efficiency and service quality.

Ma toured the Beijing-Zhengzhou section of the Beijing-Guangzhou high-speed railway and inspected railway construction sites in the province.

He urged railway departments at all levels to eliminate major traffic accidents and ensure the safety of the country's high-speed railways.