A total of 6,027 people were killed in China's coal mines last year, said a senior official with the State Administration of Work Safety Monday in Beijing.

The death toll, however, marked a 6.33 percent decrease, or 407 fewer fatalities, compared to 2003, said Liang Jiakun, deputy director of the administration at a press conference held by the Information Office of the State Council, China's cabinet.

China reported a total of 3,639 fatal coal mine accidents last year, down 12.17 percent year-on-year.

Though the number of accidents and fatalities have decreased, Liang said, the national work safety situation is still grave.

"China has set the goal to reduce the fatalities in coal mines by 3 percent this year," said Liang. "We will also try to eliminate any single coal mine accident causing 100 fatalities or more."

To achieve the goal, said Liang, China will work hard on the prevention of gas outburst and improvement of safety condition in coal mines.

"We will suspend or close down any mine that fails to meet safety standards, and guard against capacity-exceeding production activities," said Liang. "Mines with any record of gas outburst phenomenon must be rectified in strict accordance with the safety standards."

"China will establish a national emergency rescue command center," said Liang. "A work mechanism will be in place featuring free flow of information and quick response when emergencies occur."