China suffered relatively less marine disasters in 2023 than the annual average recorded in the last decade (2014-2023), according to the 2023 Bulletin of China Marine Disaster released by the country's Ministry of Natural Resources on Monday, the 55th Earth Day.
In China, marine disasters occur frequently in various types and in a large area of oceans.
The document says compared with the average situation in the past decade (2014-2023), the overall disasters in 2023 were relatively mild, with direct economic losses and the dead and missing equivalent to 44 percent and 29 percent of the average of the last ten years, respectively.
Among them, storm tide disaster still incurs the most direct economic losses, and ocean wave disaster still causes the greatest number of deaths and missings, according to the document.
The report says no tsunami disaster occurred in the waters under China's jurisdiction in 2023.
"In the past ten years (2014-2023), 223 marine disasters such as storm tides, waves, sea ice and red tides occurred along China's coast. The number and cumulative area of red tides discovered are relatively low. A total of 46 red tides were found throughout the year of 2023, spanning 1,466 square kilometers, lower than the average of the past ten years," said Xu Guodong, director of the Marine Disaster Reduction Center under the Ministry of Natural Resources.
The ministry also released the 2023 China Sea Level Bulletin on Monday, saying the rise of sea level along the country's coastline shows an accelerating trend.
China suffers less marine disasters in 2023: report
China suffers less marine disasters in 2023: report
A French student from the School of Chinese Language and Literature at Beijing Foreign Studies University recently called for more educational exchanges between the two countries.
During an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Bouaoud Elies shared his experience living and studying in China.
After graduating from the business school at Beijing Foreign Studies University, Elies decided to stay in the country. He said he continues to study Chinese to improve his competitiveness and explore the huge trade opportunities between the two countries.
"I mean I love it here. I don't want to go back to France. I would like to become the bridge between France and China. So, if I can do this, thanks to the Belt and Road Initiative, the Silk Road, now the relations between France and China are very good. So, I think a lot of things will happen," he said.
Elies also said he hopes that more French students could visit China and develop a better understanding of the country.
France was the first major western country to establish full diplomatic ties with China, and the history of educational exchanges can be traced back more than a century and a half when China sent its students to France to study maritime affairs.
Since then, exchanges have deepened considerably.
"In China, we have established 14 French training centers. In France, we have established 19 Confucius Institutes. These institutions serve as bridges for mutual understanding and trust between the youth and people of the two countries, enhancing language and cultural connections," said Yang Dan, Director General of the Department of International Cooperation and Exchanges under the Ministry of Education.
French student calls for more educational exchanges with China
