China launches nationwide emergency communication platform

China has launched nationwide application of a new integrated emergency communication platform designed to ensure uninterrupted connectivity during natural disasters and other emergencies.

The initiative was jointly introduced on Sunday by the Emergency Communication Support Center under the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, together with multiple telecom operators, during a commemorative event marking World Telecommunication and Information Society Day.

The platform provides nationwide, all-network compatibility, enabling a single emergency base station to simultaneously serve users from all major telecom operators. In the event that natural disasters disrupt local communication networks, users of China Telecom, China Mobile, China Unicom and other carriers in affected areas will not need to change their mobile devices or SIM cards. Their phones can automatically detect and connect to a dedicated "National Emergency Communication" network, allowing them to make calls, send text messages and access mobile data services.

Authorities said the system is designed to safeguard both emergency command operations and the basic communication needs of residents in disaster-hit regions.

This year's World Telecommunication and Information Society Day focuses on "Digital Lifeline: Strengthening Resilience in a Connected World."

Beyond mobile connectivity, the platform also enables unified nationwide access, monitoring, dispatching and management of a wide range of emergency communication equipment, including drone-based, backpack, vehicle-mounted and shipborne base stations. Once configured, these systems can be rapidly deployed and activated anywhere in the country when needed, improving flexibility and response speed in large-scale emergencies.