China orders safety overhaul after deadly blasts

China on Monday announced a three-month nationwide safety overhaul on explosive materials, a move prompted by a recent string of blasts.

The overhaul was jointly launched by five central departments, including the Ministry of Public Security, State Administration of Work Safety and the Ministry of Transport, and will last until the end of the year, according to a statement issued by the authorities.

Law enforcement departments will tighten supervision on the storage, use, transportation of explosive materials and harshly punish illegal activities, according to the statement.

Companies will be targeted through increased supervision. Illegal production, sales, transportation and use of fireworks will be severely cracked down on, said the statement.

Five people were killed in an explosion at a private chemical plant in northeast China's Liaoning Province on Saturday.

A fatal warehouse explosion in Guangzhou in south China's Guangdong Province claimed eight lives and injured 36 on Sept. 10.

Official figures showed that 82 explosions occurred between January and July, a 26.1 percent drop year on year.

"However, these cases are reminders of problems and hidden danger in the safety management of explosives, which require a thorough overhaul with resolute measures," said the statement.