BEIJING - China on Thursday ordered a nationwide safety and environmental check over the production of potentially dangerous chemicals after protests forced the closure of a controversial chemical plant in the country last month.

All producers of potentially dangerous chemicals like paraxylene (PX) and builders of chemical plants that house potentially dangerous chemicals must immediately conduct full self-inspections and eliminate hidden risks in a timely manner, said the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), the country's top economic planner, in an urgent circular.

"Those manufacturers that can not rectify their problems must suspend production at once," said the NDRC.

The move came after authorities ordered a PX plant in Northeast China's city of Dalian to halt production last month, following protests by more than ten thousand local residents demanding that the plant be relocated over concerns of potential toxic chemical leaks.

PX is a carcinogenic petrochemical used to create raw materials for the production of polyester film and fabric.