The central government plans to build an earthquake-proof system
to better protect the country's growing cities, according to its
2006-2020 earthquake proof and relief blueprint.
Under the plan, the full text of which is carried on the central
government's Website www.gov.cn,
the system will enable all areas in China to basically have the
capability to cope with earthquakes measuring about six on the
Richter Scale by 2020. Measures will also be taken to equip rural
areas with both earthquake-proof facilities and knowledge in relief
procedures.
Typically, rural areas suffer heavy economic losses and
casualties from earthquakes due to a lack of proper facilities and
relief knowledge.
According to the plan, the government will provide equal public
services in both rural and urban areas. Administrators of major
infrastructure facilities and lifelines will be asked to improve
their ability to cope with earthquakes.
The blueprint also calls for the digitalization of its seismic
observation areas at land and sea. It will also step up the
establishment of earthquake-warning systems and earthquake-proof
facilities in key infrastructure and lifeline projects.
According to the plan, the publicity of earthquake-proof
facilities and relief knowledge shall cover 40 percent of the
population and 200,000 volunteers will be enrolled to work for
earthquake-proof and relief efforts by 2010.
Material storage systems for disaster relief will be built and
earthquake victims will be assured of basic living and medical
assistance within 24 hours of an earthquake.
Earthquakes around the world killed about 1.2 million people in
the 20th century, including 590,000 in China.
(Xinhua News Agency November 2, 2007)