On July 28, 2011, Premier Wen Jiabao, also member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, met with Chinese and foreign media correspondents at the site of the July 23 Yongwen railway accident for a press meeting. The full text of the press conference is as follows:

Wen Jiabao: Today, I came to this particular railway accident scene, laid a wreath for the victims, and expressed my deep condolences to them.

I recently visited the hospital to see the victims and family members of those wounded. The experience saddened me. I would like to take this opportunity to meet with you and convey my feelings about this terrible event.

We will never forget this accident, nor will we forget the victims. It makes us realize that development and construction are for the people, and most importantly, people’s lives and safety.

Recently, I have been extremely ill and bedridden for the last 11 days. Today, the doctor was reluctant to allow me to travel. That is why I arrived here on the sixth day after the accident. Now I’d like to answer your questions.

Xinhua News Agency Reporter: After the July 23 Yongwen railway accident, the public paid great attention to the safety of high-speed railway technology, railway scheduling and on-site rescue efforts. There are some doubts and people eagerly want to know the causes of the accident. How about the progress of the accident investigation? Does the State Council have further consideration about identifying the cause, summing up the lessons from the accident, investigating and punishing those responsible?

Wen Jiabao: Since the accident, people have had many questions about the accident and aftermath. I think we should carefully listen to and seriously deal with their opinions and give people a responsible explanation.

After the accident, the State Council immediately set up an investigation team, which included security and supervision departments. It is an independent working group, and will conduct on-the-spot surveys, technique sampling, scientific analysis and expert’s explanation to reach a conclusion. We must strictly ascertain direct responsibilities and leadership obligations in accordance with state laws and regulations.

The investigation has started. We require the whole process to be open and transparent, and accept social and public supervision.

CNN Reporter: You just mentioned in your speech for the handling of the incident, the public has shown discontent and made accusations. I understand that China is eager to export its high-speed rail technology to other countries, including the United States. My question is what measures the Chinese Government and yourself will take to make the international community regain its confidence in China’s high-speed railway, to show that China’s high-speed rail technology is very advanced and safe.

Wen Jiabao: The credibility of China’s exports of high-speed rail technology and other hi-tech exports is not verbal, but should be in practice. On high-speed rails, it should be comprehensively measured from its design, equipment, technology, construction and management, among which safety should go first. Losing safety means losing credibility. Over the years, the high-speed rail industry has been greatly developed. This accident reminds us we must pay more attention to safety of high-speed rail construction, must achieve speed combined with quality, efficiency and safety and must put safety first. I believe the departments concerned will earnestly draw lessons from this accident, improve their work in many aspects, especially in breakthroughs of key technologies. We must strengthen management to make China’s high-speed rail really safe. Only by doing so, can we gain credibility and stand firm in the world.

Reuter’s correspondent: What effect will this high-speed rail accident impose on railway construction?

Wen Jiabao: Actually, railway construction, like other undertakings, has a clear requirement in the 12th Five-Year Plan. It highlights the transformation in structural adjustment and development mode. In regard to railway construction, this accident makes us pay more attention to railway safety, especially high-speed railway safety. For the overall railway layout, we must consider the relationship between high-speed railway and the entire railway network; the relationship between railways, highways and water and aviation transport routes. We must make scientific plans, rational arrangements and orderly developments. Faster is not necessarily better. We should well combine speed with quality, and combine efficiency with safety, but put safety first.

Hong Kong Commercial Radio Reporter: Do you think the accident is a natural disaster or a man-made one?

Wen Jiabao: I just said that we are conducting serious investigations and will tell you the results. What I want to emphasize is that our investigation and treatment must be responsible to the people. We will look into the cause, either it is a mechanical equipment problem, a management issue, or a manufacturer’s problem. If we find hidden corruption in the process of investigation, we will also deal with it according to law, without mercy. Only by doing so can we do justice to these victims at rest in the ground.

CCTV reporter: This area was a mess a few days ago, but now you can hardly see any traces of the accident. The public has questioned the haste with which the accident site was cleaned up. You just mentioned openness and transparency. How can our government achieve this in time after a big accident occurred?

Wen Jiabao: After the accident, President Hu Jintao immediately gave instructions to rescue people first. Hearing the news, I immediately called the railway minister, who can confirm I only said two words: Rescue people.

I recently met with victims’ families, who also raised the same question. I think the principle to handling the accident is to do everything possible to save people. As an old saying goes, as long as there is a glimmer of hope, we must make a hundredfold endeavor. Railway departments and other sectors concerned must give a practical and realistic answer to the masses of people whether they have done this or not. The second principle is to analyze the security, which requires evidence, investigation and analysis, and to bring an end to these kinds of train problems. At the same time, efforts should be made to examine the tracks and roadbed, which are extremely important.

Of course, there is a follow-up matter, such as victims’ families. We must be humane in dealing with them. I told them, we all have parents, husbands, wives, sons and daughters. The beloved lost their lives, something we cannot put a price tag on. Therefore, we must show them compassion and give them appropriate compensation. Some people think it is just property, I think it is actually the memory of loved ones to the deceased.

Why did we ask relevant departments to clean up their remains? It is for the people. As to openness and transparency, you mentioned, they are very important. Whether or not the accident can be well handled, the key lies in whether or not we can let the masses get the facts.

Japan’s Kyodo News correspondent: The accident has had a major impact on China. My question is: How can you make the Chinese and overseas people feel confident in China? What kind of reform should the Ministry of Railways carry out?

Wen Jiabao: It should be noted that over the past 30 plus years of reform and opening up, China has achieved remarkable progress in its development, including science and technology. We understand that a country – to become truly prosperous and powerful – must rely on the power of science and technology to improve the quality of the entire nation. We stand here today to sum up the lessons of this accident, and to honor the dead. First and foremost is that the people and the entire nation must restore its courage, unite as one, and work hard. Especially in science and technology, we must have our own inventions, our own brands, our own intellectual property rights and our own international competitive products. This can not be done simply with words, but needs to energetically develop science and technology and to make breakthroughs in key technologies to make our equipment more secure, more reliable and more competitive.

I am full of confidence for China’s future either in its development and construction, or in science and technology and education.

Wenzhou Daily Reporter: On several occasions you have praised the creative spirit of the Wenzhou people. In this rescue operation, Wenzhou people have shown another side. Wenzhou’s Party Committees and governments at all levels, as well as its people, devoted themselves to the rescue work.

We saw that the night after the accident, any villagers volunteered in the rescue efforts. Also, many ordinary people queued the whole night to donate blood. How do you evaluate the Wenzhou people for their performance?

Wen Jiabao: The people of Wenzhou should be thanked. I did praise them on several occasions. In the face of this disaster, the Wenzhou people have shown the world their spirit and passion for helping others. They consciously organized rescue teams. Thousands of people took the initiative to donate blood. They have also offered up their medical facilities to the families of the victims and the wounded.

I have only been in Wenzhou for one day, but I feel there is more to see. I thank the people here. Thank you.