Quake warning system in the works

Because inexact earthquake warnings may panic the public, the China Earthquake Administration is regulating the earthquake warning information issue, explaining the legal responsibilities for publishing information.

According to China's Law on Response to Contingencies, adopted in 2007, when the risks of disaster increases, governments above county level should issue an alert.

But there is no regulation on the details of issuing warnings, including who should release the information and the legal responsibilities, according to the China Earthquake Administration.

Fujian is amending its earthquake prevention and disaster relief regulation to regulate quake warnings.

The draft of the amendment said that a provincial earthquake warning system will be established, which will issue a timely quake alert to possible affected regions through the media or organizations.

Zhu Haiyan, deputy director of the Fujian provincial earthquake bureau, told People's Daily in February that regulating quake warning is necessary.

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