An earthquake relief drill has begun in one of the plateau alpine regions in northwest China's Gansu Province, with exercises and simulation of diverse scenarios being used to sharpen real-combat competency. The drill, focusing on the weather characteristics of plateau regions, set up training subjects on China's major strategic projects related to economic development and security.

It aims to test the rescue capacity, emergency response and collaborative cooperation of diverse departments as well as the actual application of the newly-developed high-end equipment. The exercise is expected to effectively improve disaster prevention and relief capabilities, as well as the joint rescue capabilities of various emergency rescue forces, and imbue China's rescue workers with practical experience that would help them in severe earthquake disasters.