Millions of Chinese are struggling to stave off the country's worst floods in years, as heavy summer rains pour relentlessly across southern and central parts of the country. Meanwhile, tens of thousands of soldiers, police and civilian volunteers have spread across 10 provinces to rescue stranded residents and reinforce embankments。

　　So far, China has avoided large-scale damage, thanks to its generally effective response. Few countries in the world are able to muster the leadership, manpower, and resources needed to respond to natural disasters like this, but China is one of them。

　　Beijing has put in place a top-down system that enables the government to respond quickly and effectively. It has also institutionalized close coordination among government ministries on the front line of disaster relief。

　　China has even set up a special office called "General Command Office to Prevent Flooding and Drought" under the State Council, China's cabinet。

　　Ramsey Rayyis, regional representative of American Red Cross in China, had praise for the Chinese efforts. "From my experience, the Chinese government and the Chinese Red Cross are doing a commendable job in responding to emergencies, whether it's flooding, earthquakes and other natural disasters. The recent flooding and earthquakes have shown they are able to respond efficiently and quickly," he said。

　　On the ground, China has put together a network of government functionaries and volunteers to perform disaster relief. Led by the Ministry of Civil Affairs, they form the backbone of grassroots operations that involve public participation through quasi-government groups like the Chinese Red Cross and other non-governmental organizations. China relies most heavily on the 2-million-strong People's Liberation Army (PLA)， a standing army that is highly disciplined and organized. The PLA is capable of sending contingents of soldiers whenever and wherever disasters strike。

　　China also does a good job in using the media. Chinese officials also use media to assure the public. By giving prominence to the measures the government is taking, they are able to show that the government has everything under control。

　　在倾盆大雨无情地降落在这个国家的南部和中部地区之际，千百万中国人奋力应对多年不遇的洪涝灾害。数以万计的官兵和志愿者分布在10个省份、援救受困居民、加固堤坝。

　　迄今为止，由于采取了有效的应对措施，中国避免了大规模损失。世界上没有多少国家能够集合起应对这种自然灾害所需的领导团队、人力、物力和财力，而中国就是其中之一。

　　由于建立了一套自上而下的制度，政府可以迅速、有效地作出反应。中央政府还使各部委在救灾前线的密切协作制度化。

　　中国甚至还成立了一个被称为“国家防汛抗旱总指挥部办公室”的特别机构。这个办公室是国务院下属机构。

　　美国红十字会驻华代表袁明熙对中国的抗洪工作称赞有加。他说：“根据我的经验，中国政府和中国红十字会应对紧急情况的做法值得称赞。最近的洪涝灾害和地震表明，他们能够迅速、高效地作出反应。”

　　中国组建了由政府工作人员和志愿者构成的救灾网络。在民政部的领导下，他们组成基层救灾行动的骨干力量。民众通过中国红十字会等准政府团体和其他非政府组织参加基层救灾行动。中国最依赖的还是200万人民解放军。这支常备军纪律严明，组织有序。不管何时何地灾难来袭，人民解放军都能派出部队。

　　中国在利用媒体方面也做得不错。中国官员还通过报道政府正在采取的措施，让民众放心。