China steps up efforts to fight against official negligence in major accidents

China's administrative departments will join hands with procuratorates in the future to handle criminal cases involving negligent officials in accidents which have caused huge losses of life and property.

A provision, jointly issued by the Ministry of Supervision, the Supreme People's Procuratorate, and the State Administration of Work Safety, stresses increased cooperation between administrations and procuratorates in future investigations into major accidents.

It stipulates that investigation groups which are organized or authorized by the State Council, China's cabinet, are obliged to invite the Supreme People's Procuratorate to join the team.

For groups authorized by local governments, procuratorates at the same level should take part in the investigation.

Probe groups must hand over relevant evidence and materials to the relevant procuratorate members promptly once criminal cases involving negligence officials are spotted, according to the provision.

Source: Xinhua