Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Thursday urged all-out efforts in flood control, disaster relief and rescue work to ensure the safety of people's lives and property.
Li, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when visiting Chenzhou City, central China's Hunan Province.
Multiple rounds of rain battered Hunan recently, causing severe flooding and geological disasters in some areas.
In Zixing City of Chenzhou, Li inspected several villages to learn about the disaster situation including damage caused to farmland and houses, and to review the progress of relief and rescue efforts.
He emphasized the need to spare no effort in searching for the missing people and to ensure full coverage in the search and rescue operations.
Li also demanded a swift repair and restoration of roads, electricity and telecommunications facilities, and other essential infrastructure.
When visiting the rescue and relief personnel at the frontline, Li expressed his gratitude, calling on them to make continuous efforts in handling emergencies.
In Zhoumensi Town, Li visited flood-affected people at a resettlement site, inquiring in detail about their living conditions.
He encouraged the relocated residents to stay confident and make united effort to overcome difficulties and rebuild their homes.
Li also presided over a meeting on flood control and disaster relief, emphasizing the importance of putting people's lives and safety above all else, enhancing coordination between disaster monitoring and early warning with emergency responses, and promptly evacuating people from high-risk areas.
He emphasized timely allocation of disaster relief funds and delivery of relief supplies to aid in post-disaster reconstruction.
The premier also called for accelerating the construction of a series of major projects for natural disaster control and prevention.
Chinese premier urges all-out efforts in flood control, rescue work, disaster relief
Chinese premier urges all-out efforts in flood control, rescue work, disaster relief
A Chinese UN representative said the tension in the Red Sea is a prominent manifestation of the spillover of the Gaza conflict at a Security Council briefing on Yemen on Thursday.
Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, made the remarks while also calling on the Houthis to respect the right of commercial vessels of all countries to navigate in the waters of the Red Sea in accordance with international law.
"he tension in the Red Sea is a prominent manifestation of the spillover of the Gaza conflict. It has been 11 months since the outbreak of the Gaza conflict and there is still no peace in sight. The negative effects of the conflict are increasing instability in the region. China once again urges the full implementation of the relevant Security Council resolutions and an immediate and lasting ceasefire in Gaza," said Geng.
The representative said China has always maintained that resolving the Yemen issue must rely on political and diplomatic means. He added that relevant parties should jointly advance a comprehensive political process that is "led by and owned by the people" and resolve differences through dialogue and negotiation.
China looks forward to countries with influence on Yemen playing a constructive role and calls on the Yemeni government and the Houthis to work together to implement the agreements reached between the two sides on financial and aviation issues, Geng said.
A Greek-flagged oil tanker named "MV Sounion", carrying about 1 million barrels of crude oil, was attacked by Houthi forces on Aug. 21 with small arms, projectiles, and a drone boat. The situation escalated when Houthi forces released footage on Aug. 29 showing them boarding and placing explosives on the oil tanker, setting off blasts that put the Red Sea at risk of a major oil spill.
Geng expressed concern over the attack on the oil tanker, the possible oil spill, and the potential ecological and environmental impact.
He also pointed out that many provinces in Yemen are suffering from severe floods and the humanitarian situation has worsened. The international community should step up humanitarian assistance to Yemen, he said.
The deputy permanent representative also expressed grave concern over the detention of UN personnel in Yemen and called for the immediate and unconditional release of all UN personnel.
Red Sea tension arises as manifestation of Gaza conflict spillover: Chinese UN representative
