China to enhance capability of addressing public safety risks

China plans to build a better national emergency management system that will be able to effectively address public safety risks, according to a circular published by the State Council on July 19.

In the 13th Five-Year Plan (2016-20), a prevention system for emergencies should be built by 2020 to deal with various risks in natural disasters, industrial production, the environment, public health, public security and cyber security. Evaluation of emergency risks, an alarm system and a database of major risks should be launched.

The government should make infrastructure more resistant to an emergency, especially natural disasters. More emergency shelters should be built in communities.

Police and armed forces should be trained to deal with peacetime emergencies. Professional rescue teams should be organized and trained to be prepared for emergencies in significant fields, such as the chemical industry, nuclear power industry, public healthcare, railways and maritime situations.

More support facilities should be built, such as emergency communication, transportation, an information platform, and emergency material supplies.

Coordination among government, market and nongovernment sectors should be promoted. More emergency drills and education on public safety should be organized among the public. Nongovernment emergency rescue teams should be encouraged to cooperate with the government. Scientific research on emergency management should be promoted. Efforts should be made to support the healthy development of the emergency management market.

Legislation and regulation on emergency management should be improved. A standard system should be constructed. Emergency management mechanisms should be optimized, such as information release, inter-department coordination, funding and contingency assessment.