China's general emergency response plan was endorsed in principle at a conference of the State Council chaired by Premier Wen Jiabao on Jan 26, 2005. This signifies China has primarily established a framework of emergency response plan.

Making emergency response plan is imperative task

The situation of public security in China is not optimistic at present. Grave natural disasters and accidents happen occasionally; and factors that affect national security and social stability still exits. Meanwhile the acceleration of urbanization process has posed new challenges to public security.

Facing sudden outbreaks of epidemics, natural disasters and accidents, the government must form a social emergency forecast mechanism and a emergency response mechanism with unified command, full functions, quick response and high efficiency, so that the capability to guarantee public security and handle emergencies will be improved. This is not only an objective need of social development, but also an important task of the government in fulfilling its functions, in particular the function of strengthening management and service to the public. In addition it is a task needed for building a harmonious society.

The plan is made on the basis of current situation of China, careful summing-up of practical experience, learning from mature foreign practices and listening to views in all walks. Stipulating the State Council's principles, organizations and operation mechanism regarding grave accident, it serves as a general guideline for the whole country's emergency response system. The plan is of paramount importance in instructing local governments and departments handling sudden public accidents, guaranteeing safety of public's life and property, eliminating loss.

Framework of emergency response plan established

All localities, department around China have done a lot of effective works in establishing and improving emergency mechanism. After one more year efforts, the compile of the general plan, 105 special plans and majority of plan for provincial level have been completed. A framework of the emergency response plan has been established initially.

On Dec 14, 2004, the official website of the Beijing Municipal Government published the emergency response plan of Beijing. The city will employ blue, yellow, orange and red color to indicate seriousness of incidents.

Other provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions including Chongqing, Hainan, Henan, Guangxi, Yunnan, Xinjiang, Hunan have released their emergency plan too.

Gradually move on track of standardization

Almost every clause in the emergency response plan is closely related to people's rights. For instance, people's right to know after grave incidents takes place. Beijing's emergency response plan requests the unit responsible for handling incident shall designate a person in charge of reportage, who is required to report the news of incident timely and accurately. To reduce the injuries and death, the Guangxi stipulates various measures. And Hunan Province's plan emphasizes eight major principles including "putting people first", "prevention first ".

Experts say the plans need to withstand tests in practice and be improved even though phasical achievements have been made.

The system demands establishment of the management system, operation mechanism and related laws and regulations. "A major work is to set up a complete surveillance system, emergency report system, decision making and coordination mechanism. In terms of legal construction, the emergency shall move on the track of standardization, legalization. "

By People's Daily Online