BEIJING — Vice-Premier Han Zheng has urged the national fire and rescue service to greatly improve comprehensive emergency response capabilities.

Han, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, made the remarks at a recent seminar to mark the anniversary of the establishment of the China National Comprehensive Fire and Rescue Team, according to a news release issued on Nov 7.

The reform of the country's emergency management system and the establishment of a comprehensive national fire and rescue force represent a profound transformation amid the drive to modernize the country's system and capacity for governance, said Han.

Efforts should be stepped up to build an authoritative and efficient organization and command system, as well as a system of emergency response forces with both general and specialized abilities, according to Han.

The professional skills of the force and the level of emergency command should also be improved in an all-round manner, he added.

The national comprehensive fire and rescue team was formed one year ago based on the country's fire services and armed forestry police.