China's Top Legislature -- the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, or NPC -- has concluded its seven-day bimonthly session in Beijing. Ensuring safe working conditions was an issue raised during the meeting.

A joint inquiry meeting of the 25th session of the 12th Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC) is held in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 24, 2016. Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, attended the meeting. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)

In response to a legislator's question about recent accidents in coal mines, the director of the State Administration of Work Safety admitted that there had been inadequate investment in equipment and poor safety management practices.

Authorities will send over 7,000 inspectors and dispatch 30 secret investigation teams to coal mines around the country to ensure safety measures are put in place.  The government says it will continue to focus on key industries and sectors, in order to prevent serious accidents from happening again. Mines found to have safety problems will face serious consequences.