Chinese enterprises have been told to upgrade their ability to deal with emergencies.

"All localities, departments and enterprises should be aware of their responsibility for public security and reinforce the capacity to deal with emergencies," State Councilor Hua Jianmin said at a meeting Saturday in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu province.

The meeting, on emergency management and the drafting of contingency plans in large state-owned enterprises, included a practical exercise on managing a benzene leakage at Sinopec Yangzi Petrochemical Company Ltd. in Nanjing.

Hua, who is also Secretary-General of the State Council, said a comprehensive emergency management system should be established by the end of 2007.

He asked all localities, departments and units to implement safety measures in the fourth quarter to ensure this year's production safety targets are met.

He ordered that effective measures be taken to ensure safety during the coming National Day holidays.

Source: Xinhua