The health authorities in Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei province are to collaborate more on emergency responses, according to a conference in Beijing on June 18.

The three neighboring governments signed an agreement at the conference, with the aim of being better prepared for emergencies in the region. Urgent medical supplies will be dispatched to the disaster-affected area and experts in the region will join hands to tackle public health issues.

The three parties gained useful experience on regional cooperation when influenza A H1N1 and H7N9 avian flu broke out in the country. They gave support and sent medical supplies and teams to the areas in need.

The distribution of blood resources will hopefully be regulated together within the region. Beijing has the largest blood collection in China, with a total of 124 tons of blood that was donated by 360,000 people last year.

The three governments will also hold discussions on public health emergencies every year, as well as research on healthcare planning and drills for potential public health emergencies, such as epidemics or disasters.

There are also regular health emergency drills and discussions, health care planning research, and medical training within Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei province.