CHINA

On-the-Job Risk to Workers Increases: The death toll from industrial accidents in China rose 112.9% to 11,600 in the first eight months of this year compared with the same period in 1992, the state-run China Daily reported last week. The admission highlights what critics suggest is the dark side of China’s phenomenal economic growth this year. Beijing’s drive to attract foreign investment and boost production hasn’t been matched by a similar commitment to worker safety, critics contend. Fires accounted for many fatalities, the paper said. There were 28,200 blazes in the first 10 months of this year, causing 1,480 deaths, 51,340 injuries and $146 million in property damage.