Emergency response law adopted
31 August 2007
China adopted an emergency response law Thursday to improve the country's ability to handle major crises including industrial accidents, natural disasters, and public security hazards, state media reported. The law requires coal mines and working units housing combustibles to have emergency evacuation plans in the event of an explosion and bans individuals, media or websites from providing "false information" on emergencies that may obstruct the timeliness of government efforts. Four color codes (blue, yellow, orange and red) will be used to indicate varying emergency hazard levels. The new law will help effectively minimize losses and prevent minor mishaps from turning into major public crisis, lawmakers said.