Beijing Sets up Spokesperson System for Fires

2004/07/15

A spokesperson system was established on June 27 to provide information when fires occur in the Chinese capital.

Sun Wenzhong, deputy director of the city's Fire Prevention Department, said, "According to municipal government officials, the move is designed to inform citizens when major fires occur and to better protect reporters" rights to cover them.

From January to May this year, Beijing reported 2,576 fires that left 28 people dead and 40 injured. Property losses resulting from these fires reached nearly 5 million yuan (US$604,595).

Under the new system, a spokesperson for the city's fire department will have to rush to the scene when a major fire breaks out, and promptly release the relevant information to the press.



	Article featured in Business Beijing, July 2004 Publication sponsored by Information Office of the Beijing Municipal Government, Beijing Municipal Bureau of Commerce, Development & Reform Commission of Beijing Municipality, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (Beijing Sub-Council)