May 12 this year marks the
16th National Disaster Prevention and Reduction Day, with the theme of
“Everyone Pays Attention to Safety and Everyone Knows How to Respond to
Emergencies, Striving to Enhance Grassroots Disaster Prevention and Mitigation
Capabilities.” Concurrently, the 3rd Yangtze River Delta International
Emergency Disaster Reduction & Rescue Expo and the National Disaster
Prevention and Reduction Publicity Week will convene from May 13 to 15.

1. Collaborative Development
of Emergency Management amid Yangtze River Delta Integration

On November 30, 2023, General
Secretary Xi Jinping presided over a symposium in Shanghai, underscoring the
imperative of advancing the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta.
He emphasized that the region must prioritize enhancing capabilities for safe
development, accelerating the construction of resilient cities, fortifying
urban prevention systems for safety, and bolstering the foundational
operational guarantee system while enhancing disaster prevention, reduction,
and relief capabilities.

In alignment with these
directives, the Shanghai Emergency Management Bureau, along with the emergency
management departments of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui provinces, have
steadfastly adhered to the principles of “integration” and “high quality.” We
have actively pioneered regional emergency response strategies guided by major
national initiatives, aiming to modernize urban emergency management practices.
Through innovative collaborative systems and cohesive work models, we have
propelled the cooperative development of integrated emergency management within
the Yangtze River Delta, consistently yielding significant progress. In
summary, the primary focus is on reinforcing the “Four Collaborations” while
striving towards the “Four Improvements.”

The first focus area was to
enhance collaboration in emergency response and management, thereby elevating
the region’s capacity to address major emergencies effectively. Through
bolstering policy alignment, facilitating seamless information exchange, and
integrating measures comprehensively, we continually strengthened coordination
capabilities across all facets of major emergency scenarios within the region.
This included areas such as command and dispatch, rescue operations, and
response mechanisms. Moreover, we advanced digital collaboration in emergency
management, leveraging converged communication technologies to facilitate
seamless coordination in various operational scenarios. This includes but is
not limited to joint dispatch for handling production accidents, responding to
rain, snow, and ice disasters, and monitoring hazardous chemical risks in the
Yangtze River Delta region. Additionally, collaborative efforts were focused on
drafting joint emergency response plans tailored to major emergencies in the
Yangtze River Delta. We organized a series of cross-regional emergency drills
covering diverse subjects such as ensuring safety during major events, flood
and typhoon prevention, as well as water and land rescue operations. Through
these initiatives, we continuously enhanced regional emergency command
coordination and elevated the collective level of joint rescue and response
capabilities. Ultimately, we strengthened the region’s overall collaboration
capacity in responding to major emergencies.

The second focus area was to
enhance collaboration in prevention, control, and supervision to bolster joint
capabilities in mitigating regional safety risks. We leveraged collaborative
mechanisms for the prevention and control of natural disasters, such as flood
control and typhoons, within the Yangtze River Delta region. Efforts were
directed towards achieving synchronized dispatches in the Taihu Lake Basin via
proactive measures such as pre-lowering river water levels. We collaboratively
formulated the “Yangtze River Delta Regional Cooperation and Coordination
Mechanism for Earthquake Emergency Rescue” and the “Yangtze River Delta
Regional Emergency Coordination Mechanism for Forest Fire Prevention and
Firefighting.” These initiatives aim to refine joint responses to earthquakes,
forest fires, and other natural disasters and their subsequent secondary
effects. We contributed to the signing of the “Joint Prevention and Control
Agreement for Road Transport of Dangerous Goods in Integrated Yangtze River Delta
Region,” addressing issues such as prolonged detention of hazardous chemicals
transport vehicles at inter-provincial crossings due to inconsistent travel
bans. This endeavor effectively enhanced the operational environment for the
hazardous chemicals industry. During major events, collaborative efforts of the
Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Anhui and Shanghai focused on strengthening collaboration on
safety risk prevention and control. We piloted joint law enforcement actions on
production safety and explored the establishment of systems for mutual
recognition of production safety law enforcement lists and outcomes within the
Yangtze River Delta region. To bolster emergency response capabilities, an
emergency command platform was established for the Yangtze River Delta
Ecological and Green Integrated Development Demonstration Zone. Furthermore,
emergency hotlines were launched in Qingpu, Shanghai; Wujiang, Jiangsu; and
Jiashan, Zhejiang, facilitating improved regional joint law enforcement and
emergency response capabilities.

The third focus area was to
enhance resource collaboration to elevate the comprehensive emergency support
within the region. Leveraging the region’s robust emergency infrastructure,
concentration of emergency industries, and abundant emergency talent pools, we
fostered a trend of complementary advantages, resource sharing, and
collaborative development in emergency management across the Yangtze River
Delta. Over the past five years, significant strides have been made, including
the establishment of key facilities such as the Shanghai (National) Technical
Support Base for Prevention and Control of Major Accidents on Hazardous
Chemicals (Chemical Hazard Identification and Control Sub-base), the Jiangsu
Yanjiang (Jiangyin) Hazardous Chemicals Emergency Rescue Base, the Zhejiang
Aviation Emergency Rescue Temporary Takeoff and Landing Site, and the Anhui
Natural Disaster Response and Emergency Rescue Base, while contributing to the
formation of a comprehensive network of national emergency rescue bases spanning
Shanghai, Ningbo, Zhoushan, Nanjing, Xuzhou, and other areas. Concerted efforts
were made to draft an emergency supplies collaborative support agreement for
Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Anhui and Shanghai, so as to address critical issues such as
regional emergency rescue prioritization, disaster and accident rescue-related
compensation, and cross-regional dispatch of emergency rescue teams, while
enhancing the effectiveness of regional emergency supplies reserves and
streamlining collaborative support processes. Furthermore, we announced the
first batch of members comprising the Yangtze River Delta Emergency Management
Expert Committee. Guided by leading institutions such as Nanjing University,
Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Fudan University, Zhejiang University, and the
University of Science and Technology of China, efforts were underway to
establish the Yangtze River Delta Safe Development and Emergency Management
Research Alliance. This initiative aims to cultivate a talent hub for regional
emergency management while bolstering academic research capabilities.

The fourth focus area was to
enhance policy and standard coordination to bolster governance capabilities for
regional coordinated development. With an integrated approach, we strategically
planned and formulated emergency management policies, construction plans, and
objectives across the Yangtze River Delta region. For instance, at the upcoming
expo, we will formalize the Yangtze River Delta Integrated Emergency Management
Information Sharing Agreement, while also exploring the implementation of joint
incentives under the Yangtze River Delta Safe Production Credit framework.
Furthermore, pilot programs are underway to enact disciplinary work systems and
mutual recognition mechanisms for junior registered safety engineer
qualifications and continuing education hours within the Yangtze River Delta
region. Over the past five years, significant progress has been achieved
through the implementation of over 30 key cooperation initiatives in emergency
management. This has led to consolidation and deepening of the emergency
collaboration and coordination mechanisms while continuously enhancing the
“Five Major Systems” including policies and standards, emergency plans, joint
prevention and control, emergency command, and emergency support mechanisms.

2. Preparations on 3rd Yangtze
River Delta International Emergency Disaster Reduction & Rescue Expo

The 3rd Yangtze River Delta
International Emergency Disaster Reduction & Rescue Expo will be held with
the theme of “disaster prevention and reduction, for the safeguard of economic
and social development in the new era” from May 13 to 15 at the National
Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai). Approximately 500 exhibitors from
both domestic and international backgrounds are anticipated to participate in
the expo. This lineup includes 67 listed companies, 32 renowned global and
Chinese top 500 enterprises, 17 foreign-invested firms, and 169 specialized and
sophisticated enterprises. The showcased technologies span various domains such
as the low-altitude economy, intelligent manufacturing, industrial Internet,
robotics, and other cutting-edge sectors geared towards new quality productive
forces. Moreover, we anticipate a surge in the number of overseas visitors
attending the expo, with representation from over 30 countries and regions. The
total count of professional visitors is expected to exceed 100,000.

This year marks the inception
of the second five-year phase after the integration of the Yangtze River Delta
has been designated as a national strategy. Concurrently, it also inaugurates a
new three-year action plan for the Yangtze River Delta Emergency Management
Special Collaboration Team. The third Yangtze River Delta International
Emergency Disaster Reduction & Rescue Expo centers on three primary
objectives.

Firstly, it aims to advance
the coordinated development of regional emergency management. At this expo, the
emergency management departments (bureaus) of Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Anhui and
Shanghai, alongside the Emergency Management and Work Safety Research Institute,
the Disaster Prevention and Reduction Center, and the Emergency Management
Publicity and Education Center, will jointly host six themed exchange
activities. These events will specifically target key challenges and focal
points while strategizing the coordinated advancement of integrated emergency
management in the Yangtze River Delta.

Secondly, it aims to
prioritize the advancement of the national safety and emergency industry. The
expo will integrate the 10 major application scenarios of safety and emergency
equipment as outlined by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.
It will strategically plan the exhibition layout across six major areas on
emergency prevention and mitigation, comprehensive rescue equipment, protective
equipment, emergency-related services, popular science demonstration, and
achievements in emergency management in the Yangtze River Delta. Key topics
include flood control and rescue supplies and equipment, fire rescue, special
vehicles, emergency command and communications, aviation rescue, construction
safety, spanning typical sectors of new quality productive forces such as the
low-altitude economy, new generation information technology, new materials,
high-end equipment, and artificial intelligence. Industry leaders including
Global Safety Technology, DS Information Technology, China United Airlines, Hytera,
and INESA will showcase their innovative, precision-engineered products at the
expo, highlighting the impactful aggregation effect at the industry level.

Thirdly, it aims spearhead an
innovative demonstration model within emergency management. This expo has
placed a heightened emphasis on organizing collaborative exchanges across the
realms of the government, industry, academia, research, and applications. Over
10 special seminars will be orchestrated, with notable institutions such as
Hefei Institute of Public Safety, Tsinghua University, Nanjing University,
Shanghai Smart City Development Institute, and Shanghai Yangtze River Delta
Safety Emergency Industry Promotion Center leading the discussions. Hundreds of
experts from regional government departments, universities, scientific research
institutions, financial investment entities, and industry-leading companies
within the Yangtze River Delta will actively participate in these sessions.
Their collective insights and expertise are instrumental in charting the course
for future development within the safety emergency industry.

The Yangtze River Delta
International Emergency Disaster Reduction & Rescue Expo is poised to play
a pivotal role in advancing the interconnection and deepening integration
within the safety emergency industry. By establishing an exhibition brand alongside
an industrial chain platform, the expo aims to foster a modern safety emergency
industry system. Through this initiative, it seeks to expedite the development
of new high productive forces within the region, contributing to the
establishment of the Yangtze River Delta as a leader in collaborative emergency
management development. Furthermore, the expo endeavors to uphold the role of
the Yangtze River Delta as a pioneer, leader and influencer in safety-related
development.