Premier Li Keqiang arrived at the site of the Tianjin blasts on the afternoon of August 16. He visited firefighters, rescuers and the injured, and gave instructions concerning the rescue operation, treatment of the injured, handling of the aftermath and production safety.

He also urged the State Council to establish an accident investigation team to confirm the cause and punish anyone found guilty of neglect of duty or violation of laws and regulations.

Rumors will spread widely, if authoritative information is released too slowly.

On August 16, Premier Li urged local authorities at the blast site to continuously and accurately monitor the quality of air, water and soil, and release relevant information to the public in a timely and transparent manner.

“Rumors will spread widely, if authoritative information is released too slowly,” he said.

Questions concerning safety issues should be addressed using scientific facts and not with the use of empty assurances.

Questions concerning the possibility that toxic chemicals have contaminated the air, posing a risk to local residents, should be addressed using scientific facts - and not with the use of empty assurances, Premier Li Keqiang said on August 16 at the site of Tianjin blasts.

“Environmental experts should conduct 24-hour online surveillance. Information, concerning matters such as the levels of some toxic pollutants, should be released to the public in a timely and accurate manner,” he said.

Non-active firefighters who gave their lives in their effort to save others deserve equal honor and compensation.

Premier Li paid tribute to the firefighters who lost their lives following the blasts, during his visit to a temporary memorial hall in Tianjin Binhai New Area on August 16.

“The deceased firefighters, both active or non-active, should be treated equally, honored in the same manner and receive the same compensation,” he said.

Minimizing casualties.

Premier Li visited injured firefighters, police officers and local residents, at Taida Hospital on August 16. He urged the medical personnel, in the spirit of humanity, to try their best to minimize casualties.

Heroes are heroes, there is no distinction between active or non-active.

During his visit to Taida Hospital on August 16, a journalist asked Premier Li a question about non-active firefighters.

The Premier stressed that both active and non-active firefighters received training. “They were aware of the danger in the rescue efforts, but they chose to confront it. Their deaths sadden our hearts,” Li said.

“They are all heroes. There is no difference between active or non-active heroes,” he added.

Soldiers taking part in the rescue efforts are ‘guardian angels of Tianjin’.

On August 16, Premier Li visited soldiers taking part in the rescue efforts at the site of the explosions.

He praised the soldiers, saying they do not worry about their own safety as they face the danger, and he referred to them as “guardian angels of Tianjin”.

“The firefighters have made tremendous sacrifices, and they are still fighting at the forefront of the rescue mission,” the Premier said.

He reminded the soldiers to be especially careful in the most dangerous situations during their mission.

The government will do its best to help you deal with the trauma and rebuild your lives.

Premier Li met an injured migrant worker at a temporary shelter at Tianjin Taida Second Primary School, and asked questions such as: “Where are you from? How were you injured? Do you have any news about your friends?”

“The government will do its best to help you deal with the trauma and rebuild your lives,” the Premier said.

Thorough investigation and punishment of those found guilty, in order to give families of victims an explanation - and to set the record straight.

On August 16, Premier Li Keqiang presided over a meeting concerning the ongoing rescue efforts following the accident in Tianjin Binhai New Area on August 12.

The government will investigate thoroughly to determine if neglect of duty or violation of laws and regulations led to the accident, Premier Li said.

“We will announce the results of our investigation to give an explanation to the families of victims, the residents of Tianjin - as well as to the whole nation and as a matter of record,” he also said.