BEIJING, June 8 - China's State Council has unveiled a comprehensive plan to modernize the nation's emergency response system during the 15th Five-Year Plan period spanning 2026 to 2030. The initiative establishes clear objectives for advancing workplace safety, disaster prevention, mitigation, and relief capabilities across the country.
The plan centers on a people-first development philosophy that prioritizes citizens' lives and safety above all else. It adopts a holistic approach to national security while promoting a governance model that shifts emphasis toward pre-emptive prevention rather than reactive responses. Reform and innovation serve as the fundamental driving forces behind this comprehensive modernization effort.
According to the official announcement, significant progress in modernizing emergency management systems and capacity will be achieved by 2030. A governance framework focused on pre-emptive prevention will be effectively established, and China will further refine its centralized, unified, efficient, and authoritative emergency management system tailored to national characteristics.
The document outlines five core tasks that will guide implementation over the coming years. These include deepening emergency management reform to foster a comprehensive security framework, prioritizing risk control at the source to accelerate the transition toward pre-emptive governance, optimizing the layout of emergency response forces, strengthening all-factor support systems, and consolidating grassroots emergency foundations.
According to the plan, by 2030, significant progress will be achieved in modernizing the emergency management system and capacity. 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.
Law-based, scientific and smart emergency management will be substantially enhanced, and the work related to workplace safety, and disaster prevention, mitigation and relief will advance steadily. By 2035, an emergency management system with Chinese characteristics that is compatible with a major country that has basically achieved socialist modernization will be established.
The plan sets out five core tasks which include 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 in five categories. The State Council emphasizes that this modernization effort represents a crucial contribution to national development and people's wellbeing. By enhancing the nation's capacity to respond to emergencies and disasters, China aims to create conditions for sustained economic growth and social harmony.
Efforts should be made to advance whole-chain safety rectification in key industries, the plan says. It calls for resolutely curbing major and catastrophic accidents, minimizing losses from natural disasters, and safeguarding people's lives, property and social stability.
Implementation of the plan will involve coordinated efforts across multiple government departments and levels, with regular monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to ensure objectives are met. The government calls for the active participation of all sectors of society in building a more resilient emergency management infrastructure capable of protecting citizens from various risks and challenges.
Sources: gov.cn/SCIO
