Student safety

Zhou Zibo, a fourth-grader at Kunming Normal College Affiliated Primary School, became aware of the word "terrorism" for the first time after the knife attack at the city's railway station. "I was scared when I watched the news report at home with my parents. I was frightened by the pictures of the injured and the heartbroken families of the victims," said the 9-year-old. "But my parents told me that the bad guys will be punished eventually."

Liu Chunwei, the president of Zhou's school, said the 2,300 students had attended a 45-minute lecture on March 3, where they were given a briefing about the attack and were also instructed in basic survival skills to help them cope in the event of an attack. A year ago, the school purchased and fitted an alarm system linked to the local police station.

Awareness of terrorism, with a special focus on personal safety, has now been listed as an important part of the monthly meetings between class tutors and parents. "One important thing I was taught was to run away if an attack occurs and if we have the chance, we should call the police immediately," Zhou said.

Cui Yongyuan, a well-known anchor on China Central Television, said at the recently concluded Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference that the best thing for individuals to do in the event of a terrorist attack is to call the police. "I don't think anything is more effective than that," he said.