Chen Wenjun:

The last question, please.

China News Service:

According to the report to the 20th CPC National Congress, China has entered a period of development in which strategic opportunities, risks, and challenges are concurrent, and uncertainties and unforeseen factors are rising. How do you view the situation and challenges facing China's emergency management? Thank you.

Wang Xiangxi:

Thanks to the reporter. I will take this question. Although generally stable, the situation is still grave and complex concerning workplace safety and disaster prevention and relief. Various “black swan” and “gray rhino” events may occur at any time. Emergency management faces severe challenges.

From a work safety perspective, the main challenges stem from the entanglement and overlap of existing and emerging risks. China's economy has achieved the miracle of sustained and stable growth after decades of rapid industrialization and urbanization. However, many industries have also accumulated a significant number of risks. For example, our energy structure relies heavily on coal, with over 4,400 coal mines, of which more than one-third are prone to gas outbursts or have high gas levels, totaling over 1,500 mines. There are over 30,000 non-coal mines, with over 80% being small mines with poor safety capabilities. Our chemical industry, which accounts for 40% of global output, comprises over 11,000 production enterprises, nearly 7,000 of which have major hazardous sources. Additionally, we have over 900,000 residential high-rise buildings, ranking first globally. The gas pipeline network has over 70,000 kilometers of pipes that have been in service for over 20 years. There are 22,000 municipal bridges that have exceeded 30 years of service, with many aging bridges requiring repairs and renovations. As time passes, many risk hazards have entered a period of concentrated exposure. Furthermore, new risks are also increasing significantly with the emergence of new energy forms such as energy storage power stations, offshore wind power, hydrogen energy, and glass walkways. For instance, there are nearly 500 chemical energy storage power stations in China, many of which are located in urban areas, which puts considerable pressure on safety supervision.

From the perspective of disaster prevention, mitigation, and relief, the challenges mainly arise from the high frequency and prevalence of natural disasters, a fundamental characteristic of China. China is among the countries most severely affected by natural disasters, characterized by a wide range of disaster types, extensive geographical distribution, high frequency of occurrence, and substantial losses. In 2022 China witnessed a historical low in the losses caused by natural disasters. Even so, the number of affected population exceeded 110 million, with direct losses of nearly 240 billion yuan. China is located between the circum-Pacific seismic belt and the Eurasian seismic belt, resulting in frequent seismic activities. As urbanization accelerates, the potential for unimaginable consequences increases in the event of a major earthquake, given the number of high-rise buildings, elevated bridges, urban subways, underground pipe networks, and hazardous chemical production enterprises. Therefore, the pressure to prevent major earthquakes is constantly increasing. With global climate warming, there has been a noticeable increase in extreme weather events, with heavy rainfall leading to floods, urban waterlogging, and especially mountain torrents, landslides, and mudslides, which can threaten people's lives and property at any time. Due to strengthened ecological civilization construction, the forest coverage rate has been continuously improving, but the pressure to prevent and control forest and grassland fires has also been increasing.

In the face of these risks and challenges, we will thoroughly implement the important instructions of General Secretary Xi Jinping, unwaveringly adhere to the concept of overall national security, and fulfill our responsibilities with a strong sense of duty. We must proactively identify and respond to changes, address weaknesses, plug loopholes, and eliminate hidden dangers. We will implement and refine various preventive and responsive measures to continuously improve public safety management. Thank you.

Chen Wenjun: 

Thank you, Mr. Wang. Thanks to all the speakers and journalists for your participation. Today's press conference concludes here. Goodbye!

Translated and edited by Wang Yiming, Zhu Bochen, Wang Qian, Guo Yiming, Yang Xi, Cui Can, Liu Sitong, Gong Yingchun, Yuan Fang, Liu Caiyi, Zhou Jing, Yan Bin, Wang Wei, Wang Yanfang, Zhang Junmian, Xu Kailin, Ma Yujia, Xiang Bin, Li Huiru, Tom Arnsten, and Jay Birbeck. In case of any discrepancy between the English and Chinese texts, the Chinese version is deemed to prevail.