Disaster policy and emergency management reforms in China: From Wenchuan earthquake to Jiuzhaigou earthquake

Abstract

The article addresses policy changes and reforms in emergency management system in China comparing two major earthquakes. The Wenchuan earthquake in 2008 helped to uncover problems with the Chinese emergency management system. Almost a decade later, the Jiuzhaigou earthquake in 2017 also mobilized a national disaster response. These two major disasters provided opportunities to analyze changes in the disaster policy of China. This study adopted policy text and social network analyses to compare the emergency response plans used for both earthquakes. Policy learning and administrative reforms, including changes in the local disaster response organizations and emergency support functions, of local emergency management practices after the Wenchuan earthquake were highlighted. At the local level, the interorganizational collaboration network was better coordinated in 2017. The findings suggest some improvements for the disaster policies and practices of the local governments of China.