Chapter 6 - GFDRR

CHAPTER 6:
China’s Natural Disaster Risk
Management
This chapter is a submission of the Government of China*
Introduction
In recent years, frequent natural disasters have caused enormous loss of life and property, and such
disasters have become a common challenge to all countries. China, with its vast territory, complex
terrain and landforms, as well as various climate types, is one of the countries in the world that
sustain the most natural disasters. Along with global climate change and the country’s fast economic
growth and accelerating urbanization, China endures increasing pressure on resources, environment
and ecology.
Prevention of and response to natural disasters has become more serious and complicated. Always
putting people first, the Chinese government has unceasingly ranked the security of people’s lives and
property at the top of its agenda and has mainstreamed disaster prevention and reduction in its economic
and social development plan as an important guarantee for sustainable development. In recent
years, China has comprehensively implemented its Outlook of Scientific Development and adhered
to the working principle of “prioritizing disaster prevention while combining disaster prevention, resistance
and relief.” It has also firmly upheld the philosophy of active and comprehensive disaster
reduction and disaster risk management and further strengthened relevant legislation and building of
natural disaster risk management systems and mechanisms. Moreover, it has actively pushed forward
capacity building for comprehensive disaster reduction, encouraged public participation, and actively
participated in international disaster reduction cooperation to continually champion the cause of disaster
reduction.
China’s Main Practices of Natural Disaster Risk Management
China has adopted a natural disaster risk management
regime featuring central leadership,
departmental responsibility, and graded disaster
administration with major responsibilities
on local authorities. Under the unified leadership
of the State Council, central government
agencies that are responsible for coordination
and organization of disaster reduction and relief
include the National Commission for Disaster
Reduction, State Flood Control and Drought
Relief Headquarters, Earthquake Resistance and
Disaster Relief Headquarters of the State Council,
and State Forest Fire Prevention Headquarters.
Local governments have set up corresponding
units with similar functions in coordinating disaster
reduction and relief.
*Office of National Commission for Disaster Reduction, P. R. China
Improving the Assessment of Disaster Risks to Strengthen Financial Resilience 121