China's top legislature on Thursday adopted the emergency response law aiming at improving the country's ability to handle frequent industrial accidents, natural disasters, health and public security hazards.

With seven chapters and 70 clauses, the law will be effective as of Nov. 1, 2007.

The emergency response law will help effectively minimize losses and prevent minor mishaps from turning into major public crisis, lawmakers said.

The law bans the fabrication and spread of false information on accidents and disasters and requires government to provide accurate and timely information.

"People's governments in charge of coping with an emergency should provide unified, accurate and timely information on the emergency and its development," it says.

The law also states that "units and individuals are prohibited from fabricating or spreading false information regarding emergencies and government efforts to cope with emergencies."

Offenders will be warned, it says. Media organizations or web companies may face revoke of business licenses if their offences lead to serious consequences.

Government officials shall be given administrative punishment if they are engaged in this malpractices, says the law.

Behavior that contravenes public security management rules or criminal statutes will lead to prosecution, the law says.

(Xinhua News Agency August 30, 2007)