The Chinese government is going to hold the Asian Conference on Disaster Reduction in Beijing from September 27 to 29, according to the Ministry of Civil Affairs here Thursday.
   
It is the first ministerial meeting held in Asia on disaster reduction in response to the proposal of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao at Tsunami Summit last January, said Jia Zhibang, vice-minister of civil affairs, at a press conference.
   
The conference aims to show the achievements in disaster reduction across Asia and build a platform for exchange of information on disaster early warning, prevention and reduction and promote cooperation on disaster reduction in Asia.

A total of 178 people from 40 countries and 15 international organizations have been applied for participation of the conference so far. The total number is expected to reach 350, according to Jia.

(Xinhua News Agency September 22, 2005)