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)