Summary of Key Points
The Chengdu High-Tech Disaster Reduction Research Institute (a private research institution affiliated with Chengdu Meihuan Technology) mistakenly reported the magnitude of the earthquake in Changning, Sichuan, as 7.7, and disseminated this information nationwide under the name of the “China Earthquake Early Warning Network,” which attracted significant attention. The China Earthquake Administration characterized this as an “illegal dissemination” of data and pointed out that the institute had repeatedly violated regulations without making any corrections, leading to the termination of their cooperation. Subsequently, the Administration published three articles to emphasize the importance of official channels, the development process of the China Earthquake Early Warning Network, and the necessity of unified earthquake warning information dissemination. It was also clarified that the national earthquake early warning system has been implemented and is now providing services in collaboration with compliant enterprises.
The Misreporting Incident: A Minor Earthquake Reported as a Major One, Officially Classified as Illegal
On August 24, a 4.7 magnitude earthquake occurred in Changning, Sichuan. However, the early warning system of the Chengdu High-Tech Disaster Reduction Research Institute initially reported the magnitude as 7.7 (on par with the Wenchuan earthquake) and sent this information to users across the country via smartphones such as Honor and vivo, as well as the Xiaotiancai watch. This was not an isolated incident: the Earthquake Administration has stated that the institute has repeatedly violated regulations in releasing early warning information in recent years (in Zhejiang, Shaanxi, and other regions since 2020). Despite discussions with the institute to address these issues, no improvements were made, and in July of this year, the Sichuan Earthquake Administration terminated their cooperation. This particular misreporting occurred under the name of the “China Earthquake Early Warning Network,” which was considered “unauthorized” and “misappropriated,” hence the official’s severe response.
The Three Articles Published by the Earthquake Administration: Key Messages for the Public
The three articles published by the Earthquake Administration each focused on different aspects:
1. “Trust Official Channels and Make Good Use of Earthquake Early Warnings”: This article informs the public that since the official earthquake early warning system was launched in July 2024, more than 700 warnings have been issued, benefiting over 90 million people and covering a population of 460 million. Enterprises wishing to collaborate must undergo evaluation and sign agreements; currently, more than 30 compliant enterprises are participating. The public should seek information through officially recognized channels.
2. “The Development and Achievements of the China Earthquake Early Warning Network”: This article clarifies the technical origins, stating that research began in 2001, and a prototype system was available before the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake. The national early warning project started its preliminary work in 2010, was officially established in 2018, and was completed in July 2024. It also mentions collaborations with central state-owned enterprises (such as the China State Railway Group and the three major telecom operators) and private companies (including Chengdu Meihuan and Zhuhai Taid), which has increased the number of equipment manufacturers from 7 to 24 and terminal device manufacturers from 3 to 12.
3. “Why Earthquake Warning Information Must Be Unified”: The core message is that earthquake early warnings are a matter of public safety; random dissemination can cause confusion and even panic among the public. Information must be released uniformly by earthquake departments at the provincial level or above, as other entities are not authorized to do so.
The Need for Unified Dissemination: To Avoid Confusion and Panic
Why can’t enterprises release early warnings at will? Because earthquake early warnings directly affect people’s safety decisions (such as whether to evacuate or take cover). If multiple organizations issue conflicting information (e.g., some reporting a magnitude of 7.7 and others 4.7), the public will not know whom to trust, which could lead to unnecessary evacuations or missed escape opportunities. For example, the misreporting of a magnitude 7.7 could have caused widespread anxiety and local chaos. Therefore, it is essential to regulate the dissemination of early warning information.
The National Earthquake Early Warning Project: A Decade of Preparation, Now Ready for Use
The national earthquake early warning system did not emerge suddenly. Preliminary preparations began in 2010, and construction started in 2018, with the completion and acceptance in July 2024. What services does it provide? It includes earthquake warnings (issued within seconds to tens of seconds after an earthquake) and rapid reports on the intensity of the earthquake. The fact that it has served 460 million people indicates a wide coverage area. This system was developed through collaboration with multiple parties, making it more reliable than information from a single organization.
Social Participation: Cooperation is Possible, but Compliance is Required
The Earthquake Administration does not prohibit enterprise participation; in fact, it has collaborated with private companies like Chengdu Meihuan and Zhuhai Taid, as well as central state-owned enterprises. However, there are conditions: enterprises must undergo technical evaluation and sign agreements before releasing information. For instance, although Chengdu Meihuan participated in the collaboration, its cooperation was terminated due to an unauthorized use of the official name. The Administration has also established a system to verify the compatibility of devices with the early warning network, ensuring that only compliant devices can be used for accurate information dissemination.
Conclusion
The core issue here is regulation: earthquake early warnings are a tool for public safety and cannot be freely released by private entities. The country has an official early warning network, and the public should rely on official channels. Enterprises wishing to contribute must comply with the rules; any unauthorized actions must be avoided. The three articles published by the Administration aim to clarify the guidelines for both the public and enterprises to prevent similar misreporting incidents from happening in the future.