BEIJING — China has issued 1.82 million yuan (about $257,327) in fines for major safety risks, according to the country's emergency management regulator on Oct 12.

Nearly 200 enterprises and organizations in high-risk industries such as hazardous chemicals and coal mining were inspected, with more than 680 problems discovered and eight institutions suspended in production or operation, said the Ministry of Emergency Management (MEM).

The inspection teams discovered problems posing major safety risks at different levels, according to the MEM.

Emphasis on safety and safety management were insufficient in some companies while some firms lacked preparations for emergencies and measures to prevent safety risks.

Old and new problems coexisted in some industries, such as overlapping and ambiguous duties caused by multi-department management, while some local government agencies lacked strict inspections of safety risks.

The inspection teams delivered suggestions and requirements to local governments and related institutions to solve the problems, said the MEM.