China, EU conduct first joint disaster management drills

Experts and civil protection authorities of China and the European Union (EU) on Wednesday began their first joint disaster management drills in Shanghai.

The drills are part of a five-year bilateral project on the EU-China Disaster Risk Management Project, the EU Embassy in China in a statement.

Chinese and European scientists will recreate a risk scenario involving a typhoon in the Shanghai coast, leading to building collapses, fire in dangerous chemical warehouses and a shipwreck resulting in toxic liquid leaks.

These trials, scheduled to conclude on Friday, include planning exercises and on-field maneuvers, which will take place in the Shanghai Chemical Industry Park (SCIP).

Teams of rescue professionals, civil protection volunteers, local, provincial and national government officials from China will take part in the drill while the EU will provide civil protection experts.

In addition, some European companies based in the SCIP will also be collaborating while observers will evaluate the performance of the participants and make response recommendations for future disasters.

EU and China established the project in 2012, which has contributed to strengthening the country's emergency management system.

--IANS

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