1. Xinmin Evening News: Mr. Liu, why did the government choose September 15 to sound air-raid sirens?

Liu Nanshan: On August 31, 2001, the 23rd session of the ninth Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress appointed the third Saturday of September to be National Defense Education Day. So the Shanghai government decided to sound air-raid sirens on the day to remind local residents of civil defense work.

2. Labor Daily: How many kinds of sirens will be heard? How can local residents tell the difference? Thanks.

Liu Nanshan: There are three kinds of sirens: warning siren, air-raid siren and all-clear siren. The warning siren will last for 36 seconds with a 24-second pause, and repeat three times.

The air-raid siren will play for six seconds, with a six-second pauses and this will be repeated 15 times.

The all-clear siren will be a non-stop siren lasting three minutes, informing residents they can resume normal work and life.

3. Shanghai Evening Post: Can you introduce the detailed measures that the government will carry out to promote the siren information among residents?

Liu Nanshan: We will carry out a variety of measures to inform residents about the test and avoid interrupting their work and life. The local government will issue a notice to release the test time, range, content, method and note. The notice will be published in major newspapers, and on radio channels, TV channels and Websites. The government will also spread the information via cable TV, broadcasting in residential areas and sending cards to cover all residents, especially the elderly, the sick and people in ports, hotels and shopping malls. The propaganda department, news office and media will actively spread the information. Civil defense offices in all districts and counties will arrange a series of activities to teach residents about the sirens. Local citizens can also log on to www.mfb.sh.cn to listen to the sirens and review related information.

4. Shanghai Daily: Will Shanghai sound the siren every year in the future? Thanks.

Liu Nanshan: According to Civil Air Defense Law of the People's Republic of China, governments above county-level can sound air-raid sirens if necessary and it can help test the city's alarm system and remind residents of civil defense work. At present, most cities in China follow the law to sound the sirens regularly.

According to the law and Shanghai Civil Defense Regulation, Shanghai will do this every year and gradually include more districts. The city is mapping out regulations to better regulate the activity.

5. Eastday.com: Is this test the biggest one since 1949?

Liu Nanshan: This one can be regarded as a big one, but we can expect bigger ones in the future.