About 10,000 cards were handed free to construction workers in
Beijing on Thursday, entitling them access to a nationwide
emergency rescue and assistance network that is gradually taking
shape.
"Dial hotline 010-66099999, you will get in touch with the
national emergency rescue and assistance center and receive timely
and effective assistance," said head of the emergency assistance
promotion center under China's Ministry of Civil Affairs here
Thursday.
He said the national emergency rescue and assistance network,
which is still not fully established yet, is supported by a call
center, an air transport system, a nationwide network of hospitals
and major insurance organizations.
"Much progress has been made in construction of the system with
four pillars. We may see China officially establishes its own SOS
system in several months to come," said the official. Card holders
are entitled to receiving timely rescue and assistance without
providing any guarantee money, according to the official.
Recipients of the first 10,000 cards, issued at a song and dance
performance titled "Establishing An Emergency Rescue and Assistance
System to Promote Social Harmony", were migrant rural laborers
working on projects for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
(Xinhua News Agency October 27, 2006)