中国首次发放公民防恐手册

Chinese authorities have released a new anti-terrorism guidebook designed to try to help people protect themselves in the face of terrorism.

CRI's Tu Yun has more.

As the country's first anti-terrorism handbook designed for the public, the manual offers individuals advices on how to protect themselves during a terrorist attack. It also includes instructions on how to identify possible terrorists.

An Weixing is the director of the anti-terrorism department of the Ministry of Public Security.

"Anti-terrorism efforts should combine the work of professional forces with that of the public. The manual could enhance people's awareness of terrorism and provide basic knowledge about what to do when facing terrorism."

The manual has been handed out to the general public in Beijing, Guangdong and Xinjiang, among other provinces and regions. It comes amid a nationwide campaign to promote anti-terrorism efforts across the country.

 Li Wei, an anti-terror expert, says such a move is important, given the increasing number of terror-attacks reported in the country.

"There are two types of terrorism that can result in mass-casualties. One involves cold weapons, like knives. This type includes the attack in Kunming railway station. Authorities were able to launch an emergency response within one minute in that case. The other kind of mass-casualty attack will involve inflammables and explosives, like arsons on buses. It is very difficult for authorities to respond quickly in such a case, so help from the public can really aid the authorities in dealing with this kind of terrorism."

29 people were killed and 143 injured in a terrorist attack at Kunming Railway Station in March. A market explosion in Xinjiang's capital, Urumqi, killed 39 people and injured 94 others in May. Since then, Chinese police started a year-long nationwide anti-terror operation in May. Police have stepped up armed patrols and security controls at crowded public places and tightened up management of explosives.

For CRI, I'm Tu Yun.