Govt ponders opening up during emergencies

The local legislature's top decision making body is considering a draft regulation that would prevent officials from holding back information on the number of casualties and the amount of property damage that occur during emergencies, such as natural disasters and public health incidents, local media reported Monday.

The Standing Committee of the Shanghai People's Congress held a meeting Monday to discuss implementing a national regulation on improving transparency during emergencies, according to a report on the news website xinmin.cn.

The regulation aims to clear up rumors and fill in the gaps when incorrect or incomplete information spreads on the Internet or via text message, according to Yang Quanxing, director of the Committee for Internal and Judicial Affairs of the Standing Committee.

"False or incomplete information not only disturbs social order, but also poses a danger to people's lives and property, as well as to the political stability of the country," Yang told a reporter for xinmin.cn.

Yang said that the development of the Internet and mobile phone technology has allowed false information to spread faster and to a wider audience than in the past, which increases its potential to do damage.

The committee also determined that government officials should issue and update emergency information in a timely manner, according to the report.

The regulation also stated that government departments should report emergencies that are beyond their ability to deal with to higher authorities to protect residents' lives and property. Officials who fail to do so will face disciplinary action.

The committee is also considering waiving highway tolls during times of emergency.