Coordinated by the Beijing Municipal Health Bureau (BMHB), public health authorities of Beijing conducted an emergency exercise on July 15 to test their ability to cope with biochemical terrorist attacks and provide immediate medical treatment.

The exercise scenario simulated a biochemical terrorist attack on a cinema where people were contaminated with an unknown material. After the attack happened, the BMHB immediately launched its emergency plan and sent officers to direct rescue work on the spot. A quick-reaction task force established to cope with biochemical terrorist attacks, as well as medical teams responsible for giving first aid to the sick and injured, were also called in to tackle this very urgent incident. During the exercise, emergency teams blocked access to the cinema, carried out epidemiological investigation, gathered contaminated items, made biochemical tests, and conducted decontamination, etc. Their excellent response demonstrated their abilities and professionalism in dealing with biochemical terrorist attacks.

This exercise was hailed as a great success by Mr. Chen Zhu, head of the Ministry of Health, and Beijing's vice mayor Ding Xiangyang. Mr. Chen remarked, “This exercise is excellent. Every participant managed to implement the commander's instructions well and handle problems appropriately. Besides, the logistics was reliable, and the organization of this exercise was just perfect!” Mr. Ding encouraged public health authorities to further improve their emergency plans, arrange more exercises, remain alert to threats, and try their best to ensure the safety of the Olympic Games.

Heads of the Beijing Garrison, Municipal Emergency Response Office, Counter- terrorist Office, and some other related departments attended and observed this exercise, which involved more than 300 people from different health authorities and organizations in Beijing. The exercise drew comments from experts at Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the Academy of Military Medical Sciences.