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Speakers:

Mr. Wang Daoxi, vice minister of emergency management

Mr. Zhou Tian, vice minister of emergency management and administrator of the National Fire and Rescue Administration

Mr. Huang Jinsheng, a member of the Party committee of the Ministry of Emergency Management and administrator of the National Mine Safety Administration

Mr. Wang Kun, a member of the Party committee of the Ministry of Emergency Management and administrator of the China Earthquake Administration

Chairperson:

Ms. Xing Huina, deputy director general of the Press Bureau of the State Council Information Office (SCIO) and spokesperson of the SCIO

Date:

Sept. 4, 2024

Xing Huina:

Ladies and gentlemen, good morning. Welcome to this press conference held by the State Council Information Office (SCIO), as part of the series "Promoting High-Quality Development." Today, we have invited Mr. Wang Daoxi, vice minister of emergency management; Mr. Zhou Tian, vice minister of emergency management and administrator of the National Fire and Rescue Administration; Mr. Huang Jinsheng, a member of the Party committee of the Ministry of Emergency Management and administrator of the National Mine Safety Administration; and Mr. Wang Kun, a member of the Party committee of the Ministry of Emergency Management and administrator of the China Earthquake Administration. They will provide briefings on relevant developments and take your questions. 

Now, I'll give the floor to Mr. Wang for his introduction. 

Wang Daoxi:

Laides and gentlemen, good morning. 

First of all, I would like to express my gratitude for your long-term interest in and support for emergency management work. Today, my colleagues and I will speak with you about how emergency management efforts have promoted high-quality development. 

Ensuring both development and security is a major principle underlying the governance of the Communist Party of China (CPC). Since the 20th CPC National Congress, General Secretary Xi Jinping has made a series of new conclusions on how to ensure high-quality development and greater security reinforce each other, as well as better safeguarding China's new pattern of development with new security architecture. In line with General Secretary Xi Jinping's important instructions as well as the decisions and deployments of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, we have prevented risks, ensured safety and maintained stability with an ever-present sense of responsibility. These efforts have led to a favorable security environment for high-quality economic and social development, which can be summarized in four respects:

First, we have prioritized prevention and maintained a stable security situation. With regards to effective prevention as a fundamental principle and leveraging the functions of the State Council's Work Safety Commission, we have focused on strengthening responsibility implementation and addressed root causes of workplace safety accidents, resolutely preventing major and serious accidents. We have clarified responsibilities across the entire chain for "one matter," launching special initiatives on gas safety and electric bicycle safety as well as clearing fire escape routes. Across the country, 12.32 million illegally installed burglar-proof windows and billboards have been dismantled or modified, and 6.48 million new charging ports have been added in existing residential complexes and open public spaces. We have put equal emphasis on strict law enforcement and regulation as well as enthusiastic guidance and services, offering more timely assistance to address urgent public concerns. For example, we have established a "paired-up assistance" mechanism for key regions, dispatched expert teams to key industries and proactively helped enterprises solve real problems early on to support their safe development. As of the end of August this year, compared to the same period last year, the total number of workplace safety accidents nationwide decreased by 25.7%, with major and serious accidents down by 45.5%.

Second, we have enhanced relevant systems, making rescue operations more efficient. A comprehensive committee for disaster prevention, mitigation and relief has been established, and efforts have been made to enhance across-the-board coordination for disaster response. We have created a mechanism of command and coordination by the national emergency response headquarters, and built up an interconnected emergency response information network. We have accelerated the development of a safety risk monitoring and early warning system, and refined emergency response plans to ensure preparedness. Last year, additional treasury bonds were issued to support post-disaster recovery and reconstruction as well as reinforce disaster prevention, mitigation and relief capacities, with natural disaster response enhancement projects vigorously implemented. This year, China experienced multiple instances of prolonged heavy rainfall, breaking several hydrological and meteorological records and causing severe disasters in some regions. In response, we organized extensive flood prevention and combating efforts, pre-allocated relief funds in cooperation with the Ministry of Finance, and dispatched working groups to the front lines in order to provide guidance and assistance and resolutely win this tough battle. The China National Comprehensive Fire and Rescue Team worked tirelessly to rescue trapped individuals, demonstrating their essential role in emergency response and illustrating the true image of firefighters.

Third, we have focused on fortifying the foundation, significantly improving intrinsic safety. We have taken strengthening the foundation as a focus in our current emergency management work, addressing both the symptoms and root causes of problems. Maintaining order in accordance with the law, we have promoted the formulation and revision of several laws and regulations, including the Emergency Response Law and the Regulations on Coal Mine Safety. We have released a series of industry standards, integrating safety requirements into all stages including planning, project initiation, construction and operation. We have also adhered to promoting safety through advancements in science and technology, implementing the "smart emergency response" strategy. We have vigorously promoted mechanization and automation in high-risk industries to reduce the need for manual labor, leveraging information technology to drive emergency management modernization. Additionally, we have been committed to strengthening safety through quality workforce development. We have initiated an emergency response technology talent program and made great efforts to cultivate emergency management talent. At the same time, we have actively supported the development of community-level emergency management capacities, directing more resources and strengths to lower-level governments in order to reduce their burden while empowering them for emergency response.

Fourth, we uphold social co-governance, continuously strengthening safety by relying on the public. Development is for the people and relies on the people. We have fully mobilized enthusiasm across all sectors of society, encouraging widespread participation in public security management. We have regulated and guided the development of social emergency response teams and promoted the involvement of commercial insurance, credit supervision, and safety evaluation institutions in accident prevention and disaster relief, steadily bolstering collective prevention and control efforts. Since the beginning of this year, more than 310,000 public reports on workplace safety have been filed nationwide, with over 30 million yuan in rewards distributed. We have also publicly commended several exemplary cases where disaster information personnel successfully sounded alarms and organized evacuations to avoid danger. We have expanded various channels to cultivate a culture of safety, continuously intensified emergency knowledge popularization, and launched innovative initiatives such as Work Safety Month, Fire Safety Month, and Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Awareness Week. Additionally, we've bolstered safety training for key personnel of enterprises in high-risk industries, aiming to ensure that everyone prioritizes safety and knows emergency response.

The third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee outlined strategic arrangements to strengthen the national security system and improve public security governance mechanisms. These plans provide a clear direction and momentum for deepening reforms in emergency management. Moving forward, we will fully implement the spirit of the plenary session with a reform and innovation mindset, adhering to the principle of balancing development with security. Our priorities are to fortify systems, refine mechanisms, enhance grassroots capabilities, and boost overall capacity. We will actively promote the modernization of emergency management systems and capabilities. Our goal is to effectively transform the strategic deployment of further deepening reform comprehensively into practical actions that advance the reform and development of emergency management.

That's all for my introduction. My colleagues and I are now ready to answer your questions. Thank you!

Xing Huina:

The floor is now open for questions. Please identify the news outlet you represent before raising your questions.