China's cabinet demands faster emergency response

The State Council, China's cabinet, has ordered government agencies to be faster and more effective in their response to emergencies.

"Regarding exceptional emergencies, authoritative information should be released within five hours and press conferences should be held within 24 hours," said a detailed regulation on government transparency published by the General Office of the State Council on Tuesday, adding that information should be "updated regularly."

The regulation orders government publicity about a range of affairs from decision-making, enforcement, management, service to results, stressing that the public content should be updated and subject to regular reviews.

To standardize the release of government information, the cabinet will pilot such practices in 100 counties, focusing on land use, demolition of old houses, environmental control, poverty reduction, disaster relief, employment and social insurance. Endi