Taiwan: Disaster drill held on annual national disaster-prevention day

Taiwanese president Ma Ying-jeou demonstrated the emphasis that the government lays on disaster prevention and mitigation by participating in a drill held on September 21, on the annual national disaster-prevention day, which marks the anniversary of the deadly 7.6 magnitude earthquake that hit the country in 1999, reports Taipei Times.

"Through mock drills, we wish to raise public awareness of disaster prevention. The better we can prepare for natural disasters, the less impact such hazards will have," stated Vice Premier Jiang Yi/hua. The Taiwanese government has also initiated the establishment of a digital topographic database for the country.