An integrated command system developed by Tsinghua University for the management of public emergencies, will be conducive to advancing Macao’s overall capabilities in such matters.

The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, today made the comments in Beijing during a meeting with the Chairperson of the University Council of Tsinghua University, Ms Chen Xu, and with representatives from the University’s Institute for Public Safety Research.

Adoption of the command system was part of the Government’s effort to enhance in the short-, medium- and long-term, the city’s measures for emergency management and disaster prevention. Such efforts covered optimisation of: procedures for issuing alerts in cases of any forecast natural disaster; and management of relief measures after any disaster that might occur, said Mr Chui.

Mr Chui added he hoped the visit to Tsinghua University would help foster cooperation between the command system development team and Macao’s public departments responsible for emergency management, so as to enhance the process of the system’s launch.

An Institute representative explained during Mr Chui’s visit that the command system designed for Macao focused on: scientific research on public safety issues; education and training; development of new emergency management solutions; and technology development.

During the meeting, Ms Chen pointed out that Macao and the University had close ties with regard to a number of fields. The partnership had been advanced particularly after Typhoon Hato, when Institute experts were invited to join the National Commission for Disaster Reduction team assigned to assist Macao to optimise its response measures for any future public emergency.

The University has set up a task group for the development of the command system for Macao. Ms Chen added the University looked forward to building a mechanism that could lead to long-term cooperation between the two sides.

Tsinghua University’s Institute for Public Safety Research is a leading national centre for design of, and research into, integrated systems for public emergency management; and for building a comprehensive database related to public emergency topics.

Following today’s meeting, Mr Chui toured the Institute for Public Safety Research premises, in order to learn about the latest progress on the command system.