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Chinese city desperately seeks mayor Chinese city desperately seeks mayor
(1 day later)
By Michael Bristow BBC News, Linfen, central China Linfen was China's most polluted city, but residents say it's now cleanerBy Michael Bristow BBC News, Linfen, central China Linfen was China's most polluted city, but residents say it's now cleaner
Tens of thousands of people from across the world recently applied to become the caretaker of a beautiful Australian island.Tens of thousands of people from across the world recently applied to become the caretaker of a beautiful Australian island.
The position was dubbed the best job in the world, and the lucky winner will be chosen next week.The position was dubbed the best job in the world, and the lucky winner will be chosen next week.
But the city of Linfen in central China's Shanxi Province has the reverse problem.But the city of Linfen in central China's Shanxi Province has the reverse problem.
It is struggling to find someone - anyone - to serve as the city's mayor. It is struggling to find someone to serve as the city's mayor.
The position has now been vacant for more than half a year following the sacking of the last incumbent.The position has now been vacant for more than half a year following the sacking of the last incumbent.
Mine accidentsMine accidents
The problem involves the coal and iron ore mines that litter the countryside around this city of 4 million people.The problem involves the coal and iron ore mines that litter the countryside around this city of 4 million people.
Over recent years there have been numerous accidents resulting in the deaths of hundreds of miners.Over recent years there have been numerous accidents resulting in the deaths of hundreds of miners.
Last September there was a landslide of waste material at the Tashan iron ore mine that left nearly 300 people dead.Last September there was a landslide of waste material at the Tashan iron ore mine that left nearly 300 people dead.
The problem for Linfen's top officials is that the central government forces them to accept responsibility after major accidents, and step down.The problem for Linfen's top officials is that the central government forces them to accept responsibility after major accidents, and step down.
Following the Tashan landslide, Mayor Liu Zhijie was obliged to leave.Following the Tashan landslide, Mayor Liu Zhijie was obliged to leave.
The city has now had four mayors in the last three years, including the current acting mayor, Luo Qingyu.The city has now had four mayors in the last three years, including the current acting mayor, Luo Qingyu.
According to media reports, ambitious officials are now wary of accepting a post that might end their careers.According to media reports, ambitious officials are now wary of accepting a post that might end their careers.
It's not that no one wants the job - not everyone is entitled to do it Linfen official Wang BaoshanIt's not that no one wants the job - not everyone is entitled to do it Linfen official Wang Baoshan
"It's just too risky to become an official here," said one local observer, quoted in the Southern Metropolis Daily."It's just too risky to become an official here," said one local observer, quoted in the Southern Metropolis Daily.
"Before they have time to clearly understand the job, something happens and they're forced to go.""Before they have time to clearly understand the job, something happens and they're forced to go."
Expensive jewelleryExpensive jewellery
To keep the job, the next mayor will have to make sure the city's mines are safe places to work. But that will be no easy task.To keep the job, the next mayor will have to make sure the city's mines are safe places to work. But that will be no easy task.
China has an appalling record when it comes to work safety, something the central government has pledged to improve.China has an appalling record when it comes to work safety, something the central government has pledged to improve.
As part of that plan it is forcing local government leaders to close down small and illegal mines.As part of that plan it is forcing local government leaders to close down small and illegal mines.
One of those that has had to close is Xinyao coal mine in the village of Zhouma, deep in the hills outside Linfen.One of those that has had to close is Xinyao coal mine in the village of Zhouma, deep in the hills outside Linfen.
Villagers said the mine was shut down because it failed to meet safety standards.Villagers said the mine was shut down because it failed to meet safety standards.
"There was an accident here, but one or two deaths is nothing big in this area," said one elderly villager, who did not want to be identified."There was an accident here, but one or two deaths is nothing big in this area," said one elderly villager, who did not want to be identified.
Linfen's jewellery shops show some residents have money to spendLinfen's jewellery shops show some residents have money to spend
The mine is now quiet. The conveyor belt that once brought coal from inside the hills stands idle and watchmen sit playing cards.The mine is now quiet. The conveyor belt that once brought coal from inside the hills stands idle and watchmen sit playing cards.
But many other mines remain open, and to improve safety officials will have to overcome a powerful group - the city's rich mine owners.But many other mines remain open, and to improve safety officials will have to overcome a powerful group - the city's rich mine owners.
A visit to the jewellery stores that line the city's main street reveals just how wealthy this group of people are.A visit to the jewellery stores that line the city's main street reveals just how wealthy this group of people are.
Mine owners are some of the best customers, according to a shop assistant at one store, called CC.Mine owners are some of the best customers, according to a shop assistant at one store, called CC.
Its most expensive diamond ring was on sale for 270,000 yuan ($39,500, £27,000).Its most expensive diamond ring was on sale for 270,000 yuan ($39,500, £27,000).
Mine owners are sometimes protected by local officials - a problem Linfen City Government has acknowledged exists.Mine owners are sometimes protected by local officials - a problem Linfen City Government has acknowledged exists.
Left in disgraceLeft in disgrace
It issued a notice in January outlining its plan to stamp out illegal mining in the area.It issued a notice in January outlining its plan to stamp out illegal mining in the area.
That plan detailed the punishment officials face if they invest in illegal mines or protect their owners.That plan detailed the punishment officials face if they invest in illegal mines or protect their owners.
"Public officials who participate in illegal mining will be removed from office without exception," says the notice."Public officials who participate in illegal mining will be removed from office without exception," says the notice.
"Those engaged in criminal acts will be held legally responsible.""Those engaged in criminal acts will be held legally responsible."
All senior government posts in China - including city mayors - are appointed by the Communist Party.All senior government posts in China - including city mayors - are appointed by the Communist Party.
Mining has brought Linfen wealth - but it's also brought problemsMining has brought Linfen wealth - but it's also brought problems
Shanxi party officials recently gathered at a luxury hotel in Linfen to talk about the city's leadership issue.Shanxi party officials recently gathered at a luxury hotel in Linfen to talk about the city's leadership issue.
They appointed a new party secretary, who will lead the local party and govern the city in tandem with the mayor.They appointed a new party secretary, who will lead the local party and govern the city in tandem with the mayor.
That job had also been vacant since the Tashan mine accident, after which the last incumbent, like the mayor, was forced to step down in disgrace.That job had also been vacant since the Tashan mine accident, after which the last incumbent, like the mayor, was forced to step down in disgrace.
Party officials at the meeting were reluctant to talk about the hunt for a new mayor, although one official did comment.Party officials at the meeting were reluctant to talk about the hunt for a new mayor, although one official did comment.
Wang Baoshan, head of the city's foreign affairs office, said: "We don't have a mayor at the moment, but there is a process to go through.Wang Baoshan, head of the city's foreign affairs office, said: "We don't have a mayor at the moment, but there is a process to go through.
"It's not that no one wants the job - not everyone is entitled to do it.""It's not that no one wants the job - not everyone is entitled to do it."
On the streets of Linfen, ordinary people are largely oblivious to the search for a new mayor of their city, which was once the most polluted in China.On the streets of Linfen, ordinary people are largely oblivious to the search for a new mayor of their city, which was once the most polluted in China.
"Of course, ordinary people would like to take control of our own affairs, but that's never going to happen," said one man as he watched a game of chess."Of course, ordinary people would like to take control of our own affairs, but that's never going to happen," said one man as he watched a game of chess.
He knows that in Linfen - like in the rest of China - party leaders will select a new mayor when they are good and ready.He knows that in Linfen - like in the rest of China - party leaders will select a new mayor when they are good and ready.