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Chinese city desperately seeks mayor

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silver spoon

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. 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. The position has now been vacant for more than half a year following the sacking of the last incumbent. Mine accidents The problem involves the coal and iron ore mines that litter the countryside around this city of 4 million people. map 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. 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. 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. It'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. "Before they have time to clearly understand the job, something happens and they're forced to go." Expensive 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. 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. 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. "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. An advert outside a jewellery shop in Linfen city centre Linfen'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. 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. 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). Mine owners are sometimes protected by local officials - a problem Linfen City Government has acknowledged exists
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