National

Regional

Taiwan, HK, Macao

Special Coverage

Focus

Society

Profiles

China issues first white paper on disaster relief

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-05-11 11:10

Flowers in memory of the victims in last year's Wenchuan earthquake are seen on the ruins of a building in Beichuan county, Sichuan, May 10, 2009. The Chinese government Monday published a white paper on the country's actions for disaster prevention and reduction to mark the first anniversary of the Wenchuan earthquake. [Xinhua]

BEIJING - The Chinese government Monday published a white paper on the country's actions for disaster prevention and reduction to mark the first anniversary of the devastating Wenchuan earthquake.

The paper, released by the State Council Information Office, was also written to greet China's first "Disaster Prevention and Reduction Day", which falls on May 12th in memory of the Wenchuan quake.

The document, consisting of over 16,000 Chinese characters, shed light on the endeavors the Chinese government and people have made in disaster prevention and reduction.

"China is one of the countries in the world that suffers the most natural disasters," the report said.

Related readings:  China opens quake-leveled county to mourners  Beichuan's ruins left by Wenchuan Earthquake  Sichuan Earthquake documentary gets 1st anniversary telecast  Film crew's first-hand experience of Sichuan earthquake  A memory dilemma

Except for modern volcanic activity, China has suffered most types of natural disasters, it said.

Along with global climate changes, the country's own economic takeoff and progress in urbanization, China faced increasing pressure on resources, environment and ecology, it said.

The situation to prevent and respond to natural disasters has become "more serious and complicated" the paper said.