State councilor calls for improvements in maritime search-and-rescue capability

Chinese State Councilor Hua Jianmin said on Thursday in Dalian that maritime search-and-rescue departments should improve their capability to deal with maritime emergencies through search-and-rescue exercises.

A complete maritime emergency reaction mechanism should be set up and any weaknesses should be dealt with after it is tested, said Hua while inspecting China's largest ever maritime search-and-rescue exercise carried out on Thursday in the waters near Dalian Port, northeast China's Liaoning Province.

He called for more investment to improve the rescue equipment and strengthen the cooperation between various rescue forces.

More international exchanges in the sector are also needed to ensure the safety of China's boats and citizens in international sea areas, Hua said.

Source: Xinhua