An emergency response system is soon to be established in Beijing, drawing on the lessons learnt from the SARS crisis.

The Beijing municipal government is working towards the new network to co-ordinate its response to emergencies with those of grassroots authorities.

It released a draft report on the system on its website over the weekend for public comment.

The emergency response system, headed by Acting Mayor Wang Qishan, is expected to involve 17 local commissions, offices and bureaux.

Quick response to emergent public health incidents, counter terrorism, fire control, traffic safety and disaster relief will be given priority during research into the system, according to sources.

"Beijing's current system for responding to emergencies needs to be upgraded because it does not meet the needs of the capital city now," the report said.

In a separate development, the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Justice will introduce special measures to prevent the spread of disease in the wake of the SARS outbreak among examinees in the city during the National Judicial Qualification Examination, held October 11-12.

The exam serves as a test of public procurators, judges and lawyers.

To avoid cross-infection, candidates will be required to use their own pens when registering at the sites, according to Liu Wei, an official with the bureau.

Examinees with a temperature above 37.5 C will be banned from the test sites.