Natural hazards, biological and chemical threats, terrorism, diseases, invasive species, climate changes and economic crises all put a country at risk, according to a symposium on "Risk Governance and Sustainable Development in China".

More than 490,000 accidents happened in the first eight months of this year, killing 79,053 people. Among them, 3,804 were killed in coal mine accidents, China Daily reports Wednesday

The State Administration of Work Safety (SAWS) Minister Li Yizhong said his administration is preparing to establish the National Work Safety Emergency Rescue Command Center with branches in such areas as mining, chemicals, fire control, tourism, medical service and civil aviation.

The symposium is part of a two-day General Conference of the International Risk Governance Council (IRGC), which opened Tuesday.

The goal of the conference is to implement a global approach to risk governance." China's Ministry of Science and Technology is the host.

Source: Xinhua