China: Authorities criticize earthquake warning system for false alert

China's Earthquake Administration has strongly criticized the Chengdu High-tech Disaster Reduction Institute for disseminating false information regarding a recent earthquake. The institute reportedly used its own system to issue a warning for a 7.7 magnitude earthquake near Yibin, Sichuan, while the actual event registered at 4.7 magnitude.

The administration stated that the institute acted improperly by using the name "China Earthquake Warning Network" to distribute the alert through various mobile phone brands and smartwatches without authorization. Official regulations mandate that all earthquake information must be released by designated authorities. While the institute had prior cooperation agreements with certain provincial earthquake bureaus, its actions have repeatedly violated these terms.

Authorities have previously engaged with the institute multiple times to address these discrepancies and demand corrective actions. Due to continued non-compliance, the Sichuan Provincial Earthquake Administration terminated the institute's agreement to broadcast earthquake warnings in July. The administration is now focused on strengthening regulations and oversight to ensure that only official channels disseminate such critical information.

Public access to official earthquake warnings is available through the China Earthquake Networks Center and provincial earthquake bureaus' official WeChat channels, as well as through designated warning terminals. In some regions, warnings are also broadcast via IPTV services.