From Chinese Press

The right way to handle a crisis

(China Daily)
Updated: 2011-06-09 07:42
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A traffic accident on a highway in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, on June 4 caused a chemical spill in Xin'an River, which is an important source of drinking water. The local government immediately drew up an emergency plan. It has been monitoring the river's water, taking steps to prevent further contamination and has asked residents to store water for daily use, which shows that it is confident of handling the emergency, says an article in Qilu Evening News. Excerpts:

After almost every food safety scare or pollution accident, governments appeal to residents to be calm. They also take steps to ensure that enough food products are available in the market to prevent panic buying. Though the purpose of such appeals is to ease social tension and increase people's faith in governments, they have often produced opposite results.

But the situation in Hangzhou shows that local officials are free of such worries and have good reason to be confident.

First, the local authorities had the confidence to disclose information honestly. Second, they ensured that market supply was not disrupted. And third, they enjoy residents' trust and are confident that people will not panic and act recklessly.

Whether it concerns everyday life or emergency situations, governments should make all relevant information public and report the developing situation truthfully. This is the best way for governments to win people's trust and prevent residents from panicking. To gain credibility and win public trust, governments have to reform the way they function and improve their social governance.

(China Daily 06/09/2011 page9)

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