Cities with underground train networks said they are already as prepared as they can be in preventing and responding to security threats after the four terrorist bombs in London last Thursday, according to a China Daily report today.
"We are more aware of the need for security after the bombings, but we do not plan any major changes as we are always vigilant," said Jia Peng, a public relations officer at the Beijing Subway Operation Corporation.
The city worked out emergency plans when the metro lines were first built about 40 years ago, he said. "We improved them a lot after September 11, and then after terrorist attacks on transit systems in cities like Moscow and Madrid."
Jia said the UK emergency response was swift and effective, and Beijing had already worked out specific, detailed plans to deal with any possible emergencies, from power cuts to fire, toxic gas attacks and bombings.
Law enforcement agencies and public health officials have teamed up with the subway in special training to make sure emergencies can be responded to effectively, said Jia.
He said that early this month, different police services, including fire prevention, public security and anti-riot police, carried out maneuvers after a simulated terrorist attack on the subway.
"Such kinds of drills, usually involving police, subway staff and medical workers, have become regular practice in Beijing," said Jia.
The municipal government has budgeted 3.7 billion yuan (US$447 million) between 2003 and 2007 to improve fire prevention, crowd control and telecommunications in subways.
After two years' work, subway routes in Beijing have been equipped with respirators, blast shelters, fire extinguishers, a warning system, smoke emission and fire control systems, said Jia.
In Guangzhou, in the southern province of Guangdong, emergency facilities and equipment have been installed. "All carriages will also have wireless cameras installed to expand monitoring before the end of the year," said the network operators.
In Shanghai, Yin Wei, a spokesperson for Shanghai Metro Operation Co Ltd, said the company has worked with the city's rail transport public security department to come up with a complete terrorism and emergency prevention program.
(China Daily July 12, 2005)
