Qingyuan City in south China's Guangdong Province has evacuated more than 45,000 people as heavy rain battered parts of the city.
The average rainfall in Qingyuan this April has been 444 millimeters, that's 2.1 times higher than the normal level for the same period in previous years.
Due to the continuous heavy rainfalls, some houses and farmlands have been flooded.
China's State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters has renewed a Level-III emergency response to possible flooding in Guangdong Province.
Authorities have allocated technical equipment for embankment inspection to Guangdong and prepared flood control and relief materials, the Ministry of Emergency Management said on Sunday.
Heavy rainfall in Guangdong could bring massive flooding in the region along the Beijiang River, the country's meteorological authorities have forecast.
The ministry has urged its work teams in Shaoguan and Qingyuan in this region to provide assistance and guidance in flood response work.
China has a four-tier flood-control emergency response system, with Level I being the most severe response.
On Friday, the State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters activated a Level-IV emergency response to possible flooding in Guangdong, Guangxi and Jiangxi.
Guangdong city evacuates 45,000 people amid heavy rain
On his second official visit to China, Prime Minister of the Republic of Vanuatu Charlot Salwai expressed admiration for China's remarkable ability to balance preserving its cultural heritage with embracing innovative transformation.
Salwai paid an official visit to China from July 7 to 12. During his trip, he toured the southern province of Guangdong and explored the megacities of Beijing and Shanghai. His visit included tours of high-tech companies, a ride on a high-speed train, and a performance of traditional Cantonese opera.
In an interview with China Central Television Network (CCTV) aired on Friday, Salwai recounted his journey starting with a warm welcome that included enjoying Beijing Roast Duck, also known as Peking Duck -- a culinary delight introduced to him by the Chinese ambassador in Vanuatu.
"Many had to say. Peking Duck. Because we had it here on our arrival, so it was very tasty. And I understand that the Chinese ambassador in Vanuatu brought us to one of the traditional restaurants, small but beautiful," he said. The prime minister sees China's preservation of its culture as a vital lesson in understanding one's roots and the journey to the present day, acknowledging China's efforts to integrate cultural preservation with modernization.
"It's going to be my second official visit to China. I'm always impressed to see big changes and especially innovations made by China and especially the cities. Because a big impression is to see how China continues to maintain and keep its culture. Because I think it's the basis of everything -- to know where you come from and to understand where we are today. I feel that China is doing a lot to maintain its culture, but at the same time, doing, innovating to transform its culture,” Salwai said.
He also emphasized the importance of learning from China's sustainable development strategies.
"Today, it comes from a long way, some hardship, the government, and also the people of China. So, I'm impressed to see what is done, especially how China associates infrastructure development with nature. That's meant to keep, continue to keep the environment. It takes effort with the climate change by maintaining the ecosystem. I think it's something that, for a small country like Vanuatu, is important to learn. So, we are here. I'm here with my delegation to learn," Salwai said.
Vanuatu's PM commends China's cultural preservation, innovation amid fast growth
