China’s Current Air-Defense Warning Signals consist of three types: Early Warning, Air Raid Warning, and All-Clear Signal. Each has a distinct sound pattern and specific response measures.
I. Three Air-Defense Alarm Signals & How to Recognize Them
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Early Warning (Pre-alert)
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Sounding pattern: 36 seconds on, 24 seconds off—repeated 3 times in a cycle (total 3 minutes).
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Feature: “Long pauses,” indicating that an enemy attack is possible or impending.
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Immediate Actions:
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Turn off water, gas, and electricity valves; extinguish stoves; seal food and water supplies securely.
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Grab an emergency kit, assist the young and elderly, and quickly proceed to the nearest civil air‑defense shelter or designated evacuation site.
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If in a public area, take cover nearby instead of rushing home.
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Air Raid Warning (Attack alert)
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Sounding pattern: 6 seconds on, 6 seconds off—repeated 15 times in a cycle (total 3 minutes).
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Feature: “Short pauses,” meaning the air raid is imminent or already underway.
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Immediate Actions:
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Enter a civil air‑defense shelter immediately. If not possible, use terrain or structures for cover:
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Indoors: Go to lower floors of reinforced‑concrete buildings, stairwells, bathrooms, kitchens or other small‑span areas; hide under beds or desks in corners, away from windows and flammable materials.
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Outdoors: Lie flat in low‑lying ground, ditches, or beside earth mounds; keep clear of tall buildings, billboards, power lines and gas stations.
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Public spaces: Follow instructions and disperse into basements or sturdy structures.
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All‑Clear Signal
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Sounding pattern: A continuous tone lasting 3 minutes without breaks.
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Feature: A steady, unbroken sound indicating the air‑raid threat has ended.
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Immediate Actions:
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Do not rush out immediately. First observe the outside situation and wait for official announcements.
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Evacuate in an orderly manner; assist with rescue, fire‑fighting, and repair efforts to restore normal operations.
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