BEIJING, June 8 -- China's State Council has released a comprehensive plan for the modernization of the country's emergency response system during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), outlining strategic tasks aimed at workplace safety, disaster prevention, mitigation and relief.
The plan emphasizes a people-centered development philosophy, prioritizing people's lives and safety, and pursuing a holistic approach to national security. It sets the theme of supporting high-quality development with high-level security, focusing on shifting the governance model toward pre-emptive prevention, and taking reform and innovation as the fundamental driving force to comprehensively enhance capabilities for disaster reduction, prevention, control and relief.
Efforts will be made to advance whole-chain safety rectification in key industries. The plan calls for resolutely curbing major and catastrophic accidents, minimizing losses from natural disasters, and safeguarding people's lives, property and social stability. By 2030, significant progress is expected in modernizing the emergency management system and capacity.
A governance model focused on pre-emptive prevention will be effectively established, with the centralized, unified, efficient and authoritative emergency management system with Chinese characteristics further refined. Command mechanisms under a comprehensive security and emergency framework will become more robust, and both the capacity to handle major emergencies and grassroots emergency response capabilities will be markedly strengthened.
The law-based, scientific and smart emergency management will be substantially enhanced, with work related to workplace safety, disaster prevention, mitigation and relief advancing steadily. An emergency management system with Chinese characteristics compatible with a major country that has basically achieved socialist modernization will be established by 2035.
The plan sets out five core tasks including deepening emergency management reform and innovation to foster a comprehensive security and emergency framework; prioritizing risk control at source to accelerate the transition of governance model toward pre-emptive prevention; optimizing the layout of emergency forces to improve response to major disasters; strengthening all-factor support to bolster the guarantee system for major emergencies; and consolidating grassroots emergency foundations to enhance the capabilities of the whole society for disaster prevention and risk avoidance.
Notably, the plan lists a total of 17 key projects across five categories, demonstrating China's systematic approach to building a modern emergency response infrastructure. This initiative reflects the Chinese government's commitment to ensuring public safety while supporting sustainable economic development through enhanced disaster preparedness and response mechanisms.
The emergency response system modernization plan comes at a critical time as China continues to prioritize safety and resilience in its development model. With increasing extreme weather events and industrial safety challenges globally, China's proactive approach to strengthening its emergency management capabilities demonstrates forward-thinking governance that balances economic progress with social welfare protection.
The 17 key projects identified in the plan span areas such as technological innovation in emergency equipment, digital infrastructure development for rapid response coordination, and enhanced training programs for emergency personnel. These initiatives align with China's broader strategy of achieving high-quality development while maintaining social stability.
Sources: [gov.cn/SCIO]
