Nation to strengthen emergency response, prevention

China has made significant progress in emergency management in recent years, and more resources will be allocated to the sector over the next four years to strengthen the country's ability to prevent and respond to emergencies and help the public better protect themselves from risks, senior officials said on Wednesday.

Song Yuanming, vice-minister of emergency management, acknowledged the progress while noting that challenges remain in workplace safety and natural disaster prevention.

"Global warming and El Nino, a natural climate phenomenon, have increased the frequency of typhoons, torrential rains, floods and mudslides, posing new challenges to our work," Song said at a news conference in Beijing. "The 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) is a key period for improving the emergency management system."

According to the ministry, China will shift toward a more prevention-oriented approach to emergency management by strengthening safety training for local government officials, business operators and workers, while improving production facilities and manufacturing processes.

The ministry will also invest more resources in strengthening the capabilities of rescue personnel and developing intelligent equipment, including drones and robots, to handle increasingly challenging missions in high-altitude areas, deep-sea environments and other extreme conditions where internet access or electricity may be unavailable.

"We will improve disaster prevention and management capabilities at the grassroots level during the 15th Five-Year Plan period," Song said. He added that the disaster relief mechanism would be optimized and the distribution of emergency supply warehouses improved to ensure that people affected by disasters receive timely assistance within eight hours.

Earthquake and fire prevention were also highlighted at the news conference.

Zhang Qin, deputy director of the China Earthquake Administration, said efforts would be made to improve earthquake early warning capabilities through artificial intelligence-assisted analysis. China also plans to establish State-level laboratories to conduct in-depth research into earthquake generation, seismic patterns and the mechanisms through which earthquakes cause disasters.

The country will organize public education programs on earthquake preparedness and encourage content creators to incorporate relevant knowledge into literary works, films and television productions, Zhang said.

A more intelligent and modern earthquake monitoring and early warning system will also be developed, leveraging advanced technologies to extend coverage and deliver alerts through mobile phones, television, radio broadcasts and loudspeakers.

Zhang said efforts would also be made to ensure that information disclosure channels comply with relevant regulations.

Song Shuxin, deputy head of the National Fire and Rescue Administration, said China would step up efforts to crack down on illegal activities that could cause fires and use advanced technologies, including AI and big data, to strengthen fire monitoring and early warning capabilities.

He also emphasized the importance of equipping the public with practical fire prevention and response skills.

"Education should not be limited to slogans but should involve practical training, such as fire evacuation drills and self-rescue techniques," he said.

chengsi@chinadaily.com.cn