China is building more than ten medical bases capable of providing first aid to victims of nuclear radiation, a senior official with the Ministry of Health said on Friday.

China is building at least ten medical bases across the country which could provide emergency care for people exposed to nuclear radiation, China's Vice Health Minister Wang Longde disclosed in reply to a question raised by a netizen about how the government would protect the public in case of a nuclear crisis.

Taking part in an interview with netizens on the central government's website, Wang told the public that nuclear energy is highly efficient but also dangerous.

The central government has stepped up monitoring of firms in the country that use nuclear material.

Sites used by companies that handle nuclear material should be in areas that have the least impact on the surroundings and should be vetted by health departments before construction begins, he added.

Governments at all levels should be fully aware of what to do in the case of a nuclear accident or leakage occurs and should have emergency plans to protect civilians in case of a nuclear accident, Wang said.

(Xinhua News Agency April 7, 2007)