Beijing reflects on emergency management after rain disaster - Xinhua

BEIJING, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Beijing's top official said Friday that the recent rainstorm that hit the capital killing at least 77 people exposed many loopholes in urban planning, construction, infrastructure and emergency management.

Guo Jinlong, secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Beijing Municipal Committee, mourned the people who lost their lives in the disaster during a field trip to Fangshan district, which was worst hit by the rainstorm.

"We must seriously reflect on the lessons and always bear them in mind," Guo said.

Guo, who was elected secretary of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee on July 3, pointed out that the disaster has taught "profound lessons and exposed many loopholes."

Acting Mayor Wang Anshun, who was among the city leaders at the mourning ceremony in Fangshan, said he appreciated the public's criticism and suggestions on the government's work in handling the disaster.

"The municipal government will take on board the public's criticism and supervision in an open manner, and constantly improve the work to avoid such a tragedy happening again," he said.

The city government's tardy response to releasing the updated death toll has sparked a public backlash.

The city authorities updated the figure to 77 Thursday evening, four days after the first report of 37 on Sunday night.

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