Beijing Party chief calls for stability after scandal, fire

Beijing’s Party chief urged officials Monday to prioritize the capital’s stability after the kindergarten child abuse scandal and the fire which killed 19 people sent shockwaves.

Cai Qi, secretary of the Beijing Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China, said at a meeting on Monday that the two incidents challenged Beijing’s stability, and officials at all levels must learn from them and ensure the city’s safety and stability, the Beijing Daily reported Monday.

Cai’s comments came after the Beijing municipal government started clearing safety hazards, including illegally rented houses, after a fire in the city’s Daxing district killed 19 people on November 18.

Police said the fire was caused by faulty electrical wiring, CCTV reported on Monday.

The eviction of people in the district sparked public outcry, with people saying that migrant workers should not be blamed for the fire and that forced evictions in sub-zero temperatures are heartless.

Authorities should have given more time for the residents to relocate, Cai said, noting that inspecting the city’s safety hazards should be more orderly.

The government of Beijing’s Xihongmen said on Monday that they provide temporary accommodations for the evicted migrant workers and will offer train tickets for those willing to return to their hometowns.