The Yangtze River Administration and the Salvation Bureau, both under the Ministry of Transport, signed an agreement on 12 October to set up an emergency salvation system. According to the agreement, both parties will respond to major accidents with one voice and under one leadership.

Senior officials within the agencies will meet regularly and in times of emergency. The Salvation Bureau will also help train divers for the Yangtze River Administration. The bureau is based in Beijing, while the administration is located in Wuhan.