About 10,000 cards were handed free to construction workers in Beijing on Thursday, entitling them access to a nationwide emergency rescue and assistance network that is gradually taking shape.

"Dial hotline 010-66099999, you will get in touch with the national emergency rescue and assistance center and receive timely and effective assistance," said head of the emergency assistance promotion center under China's Ministry of Civil Affairs here Thursday.

He said the national emergency rescue and assistance network, which is still not fully established yet, is supported by a call center, an air transport system, a nationwide network of hospitals and major insurance organizations.

"Much progress has been made in construction of the system with four pillars. We may see China officially establishes its own SOS system in several months to come," said the official. Card holders are entitled to receiving timely rescue and assistance without providing any guarantee money, according to the official.

Recipients of the first 10,000 cards, issued at a song and dance performance titled "Establishing An Emergency Rescue and Assistance System to Promote Social Harmony", were migrant rural laborers working on projects for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

(Xinhua News Agency October 27, 2006)