Nation to strengthen air disaster response

China will endeavor to strengthen its airborne disaster response capabilities during the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period as it makes sustained efforts to improve its emergency response system, the Ministry of Emergency Management said on Feb 14.

Tang Congyuan, head of the ministry’s department of planning and finance, told a news conference organized by the State Council Information Office that while such capabilities have improved in recent years, the “system is still in its infancy”.

With limited access to large aircraft and inadequate distribution of airborne disaster response stations, the system lacks a sound supporting mechanism and sufficient personnel with the necessary expertise, he said.

Tang vowed a series of measures to address such problems by vigorously mobilizing government and social resources.