Chinese vice premier stresses tourism safety

Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang (2nd R) presides over the second plenary session of the joint Inter-ministerial Meeting of the State Council for Tourism in Beijing, capital of China, Jan 12, 2015. (Xinhua/Zhang Duo)

Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang on Monday urged local governments and tourism authorities to learn from the fatal stampede in Shanghai and heighten health and safety measures.

Local governments and tourism authorities should identify risks, step up safety procedures and enhance emergency response systems, Wang said during an inter-ministerial meeting on tourism.

He called on all key players to be aware of their responsibility to public safety during the upcoming Spring Festival and Lantern Festival holidays.

Tourism plays a unique role in boosting domestic demand, stabilizing growth, creating jobs, alleviating poverty and improving people's livelihoods, according to Wang.

He said China's tourism industry has entered a golden age but also faces new challenges.

A stampede in Shanghai's famous waterfront killed 36 people and injured dozens on New Year's Eve. The incident highlighted health and safety risks at popular destinations.

"More effort must be made to regulate the tourism market so we can ensure travelers' safety," he said.