Reuters AlertNet Lite - Disgraced Chinese minister makes political comeback

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Disgraced Chinese minister makes political comeback

06 Jan 2007 10:59:29 GMT
Source: Reuters

BEIJING, Jan 6 (Reuters) - A disgraced environmental minister who was forced to resign over a toxic spill that polluted a river in northeast China in 2005 has made a political comeback.

Xie Zhenhua, 57, has been appointed a deputy director of the National Development and Reform Commission, a rank equivalent to a cabinet minister, the official Xinhua news agency said. It gave no further details.

Political analysts said Xie's comeback just two years after he stepped down dented the government's attempt to instil greater accountability among officials.

A blast at a chemical plant in Jilin province in November 2005 poured about 100 tonnes of cancer-causing benzene into the Songhua river, killing eight people and injuring about 60.

Xie was ousted for failing to manage the crisis -- one of China's worst environmental disasters which left 3 million people in downstream Harbin without drinking water for days.

About 10 petrochemical executives were either sacked, demoted or received demerits or warnings.

A vice mayor of Jilin city hanged himself after national media criticised city officials for trying to cover up the spill, delaying preparations and causing panic in Harbin.

The National Development and Reform Commission is one of China's most powerful government agencies. It has 12 deputy directors.

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Last updated:Sat Jan 6 11:01:24 2007