The authorities and enterprises must continue their efforts to overhaul pipelines that have potential to cause major accidents, State Councilor Wang Yong said during his visit to Xuzhou, Jiangsu, on July 26 and 27.

Wang was in Xuzhou to check out the progress of work concerning necessary repairs to pipelines located beneath factories, which pose a serious threat to public safety.

He said that the authorities and enterprises should speed up their efforts, and he asked departments under the State Council to increase financial support.

He also asked local authorities to crack down on illegal behavior that jeopardizes the safety of pipelines.

Additionally, Wang requested that enterprises should strengthen their ability to prevent and cope with emergencies, and they should also stop using unsafe pipelines or pipelines whose condition cannot be determined.