The aviation industry in Baotou, North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region, will soon reach new heights as it starts constructing an air rescue base, Baotou Daily reported on Sept 29.

The base, a key national safety project, will be on standby 24/7 once it is completed in 2018, catering to local residents with needs such as urgent medical assistance.

A total of 21 such air rescue centers are being built in other cities throughout Inner Mongolia, including Hohhot, Chifeng, Tongliao, Ulanhot and Hulun Buir. It is expected they will all be completed in the next few years.

Together they will form an efficient emergency response service that is able to reach anyone in the region within one hour.

Baotou has long been committed to developing its aviation industry by encouraging investment and furthering cooperation with aviation companies. The city also boasts relatively predictable weather, which is important for an aviation center.

Several hospitals in Baotou have developed partnerships with Beijing Red Cross 999 Emergency Center and International SOS Pte Ltd, the world's largest medical and travel security services firm, which counts nearly two-thirds of the Fortune Global 500 companies as clients. The launch of the base will better facilitate the city's emergency rescue services and benefit local residents.

Zhai Xinchang, an expert in emergency rescue, addressed concerns about the high costs associated with air rescues. He emphasized that the final decision about any potential rescue would be taken by doctors, pilots, and meteorologists.

Residents take photographs of the emergency rescue helicopter in Baotou, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, Sept 28, 2016. [Photo/Baotou Evening News]

Emergency rescue volunteers in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region, Sept 28, 2016. [Photo/Baotou Evening News]