Better response co-ordination to earthquakes and enhanced efforts to minimize casualties were in a packet of recommendations put forward by Vice-Premier Wang Yang during a meeting of the State Council on Jan 9 that focused on quake response and relief measures.

Departments at all levels should have clear areas of responsibilities and coordinate on quake monitoring, forecast and disaster relief, Wang, who is also head of the earthquake relief body, said.

Intensified seismic surveillance can help predict what areas face an increased risk of quakes, Wang said, adding that houses and infrastructure need to be upgraded to withstand quakes.

Steps to increase public awareness on how to respond to quakes and what action to take should one occur, were discussed at the meeting that also reviewed quake response measures in 2014 and its agenda for 2015.