China, Central Asian nations to establish emergency management cooperation mechanism

China and five Central Asian nations will sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) late this month to establish a China-Central Asia emergency management cooperation mechanism, a Chinese official has said.

At a press conference in Beijing on Monday, Wang Manda, director-general of the international cooperation department of China's Ministry of Emergency Management, said that the MoU is expected to be signed during a China-Central Asia ministerial meeting on emergency management scheduled to be held in Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on May 30.

"All parties to the meeting will sign a memorandum of understanding on the establishment of a China-Central Asia emergency management cooperation mechanism, approve future action plans, visit relevant units and enterprises, help countries comprehensively improve the capabilities in disaster prevention, mitigation and relief, safety production supervision, comprehensive emergency response, and deepen collaboration in cross-border rescue," said Wang.

The parties will also conduct practical training exercises for emergency response to oil and gas pipeline incidents.

"Xinjiang, with its unique geographical advantages, will carry out cooperation in the following areas: first, strengthening cooperation in systems and mechanisms for joint prevention and control of natural disasters; second, enhancing exchanges and cooperation in cross-border emergency rescue; third, boosting cooperation in joint prevention and control of border forest and grassland fire; fourth, intensifying cooperation in earthquake and geological disaster prevention and control," said Jarin Nurhamiti, head of Xinjiang's emergency management department.

"We have carried out a number of sci-tech cooperation projects with Central Asian countries, such as joint GPS observation of Tianshan Mountains in Central Asia, construction of a seismic and geomagnetic monitoring network, and source identification and risk analysis of violent earthquakes in the subduction zone located between Xinjiang and Central Asia. These projects have provided valuable data and sci-tech support for earthquake disaster prevention and reduction in Xinjiang and Central Asian countries," said Zhu Fangfang, deputy head of the department for science and technology and international collaboration under the China Earthquake Administration.

Since the first China-Central Asia Summit in May 2023, emergency management departments in China and the five Central Asian countries have been committed to creating a new platform for regional emergency management cooperation, and to deepening cross-border rescue cooperation.

Under the framework of China-Central Asia emergency management cooperation, China has hosted several events over the past year, including high-level think tank forums on emergency management, seminars on improving production safety, and activities to exchange ideas on safety risk prevention.

China, Central Asian nations to establish emergency management cooperation mechanism

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