Zhejiang adopts precaution measures against Typhoon Pulasan

China

Zhejiang adopts precaution measures against Typhoon Pulasan

2024-09-19 13:53 Last Updated At：09-20 00:37

East China's Zhejiang Province has adopted a series of precaution measures against the nearing Typhoon Pulasan, the 14th typhoon of the year, which is expected to make landfall along Zhejiang's coastal areas between Thursday afternoon and evening.

Earlier on Wednesday, the province activated the Level-IV emergency response and raised it to Level III at 09:30 on Thursday.

Click to Gallery

Zhejiang adopts precaution measures against Typhoon Pulasan

More Images

Zhejiang adopts precaution measures against Typhoon Pulasan

Taizhou City of Zhejiang, where landfall is expected, has implemented comprehensive measures to brace for the approaching typhoon.

Jiantiao town in Sanmen County of Taizhou is home to more than 30 marine-related enterprises, and local staff have conducted inspections and reinforcements on relevant vessels, gantry cranes, and mobile cranes in advance.

Currently, more than 3,000 workers in the town have temporarily stopped work and evacuated.

The originally scheduled date for the opening of the East China Sea fishing season on September 16 was postponed due to the impact of Typhoon Bebinca and Typhoon Pulasan. Currently, over 3,000 fishing boats in Taizhou have all returned to ports to seek shelter.

In Sanjiangkou of Ningbo City, along the river embankment in Jiangbei District, approximately 55 kilometers of flood barriers have been constructed. In Yinzhou District, about 28 kilometers of flood barriers have also been built to ensure the safety of the shops and residents along the river.

At the same time, Ningbo City has activated a Level-IV response to Typhoon Pulasan. If the emergency response level is raised to Level-I, flood barriers will be further reinforced by approximately half a meter to reach a total height of 4.63 meters.

At present, 170 vessels are temporarily docked at various piers with the assistance of the maritime department. Meanwhile, the maritime authorities are strengthening inspections to ensure all boats are safely sheltered from the typhoon. All four ongoing water-related projects in the area have also been halted.

China has a four-tier emergency response system, with Level I being the most severe.

European leaders reaffirm Greenland sovereignty, stress Arctic security

Leaders of seven European countries on Tuesday reaffirmed that Greenland "belongs to its people," stressing that issues concerning Denmark and Greenland must be decided solely by Denmark and Greenland, according to a joint statement.

The statement, released by Denmark's Prime Minister's Office, was signed by Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

"Greenland belongs to its people. It is for Denmark and Greenland, and them only, to decide on matters concerning Denmark and Greenland," the statement said.

The leaders underscored that Arctic security remains a key priority for Europe and is critical for international and transatlantic security. They noted that NATO has made clear the Arctic region is a priority and that European allies are increasing their presence there.

The statement noted that the Kingdom of Denmark, including Greenland, is part of NATO, and said security in the Arctic must be achieved collectively with NATO allies, including the United States, by upholding the principles of the UN Charter, including sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders.

Calling the United States an "essential partner," the leaders also referred to the 1951 defence agreement between Denmark and the United States.

The Prime Minister of Greenland Jens-Frederik Nielsen said on Tuesday that Greenland is open to dialogue and discussions with the U.S., but "they must take place through the proper channels and in respect of international law."

The PM also urged respect from the U.S. side, saying "Our country is not an object in great power rhetoric." Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, who was appointed by President Donald Trump last month as the U.S. special envoy to Greenland, said that Trump "supports an independent Greenland with economic ties and trade opportunities for the United States," Reuters reported.

Trump said in a telephone interview on Sunday with The Atlantic that the United States "absolutely" needs Greenland. He also discussed the U.S. intervention in Venezuela.

Since taking office in January 2025, Trump has repeatedly expressed interest in gaining control of Greenland, saying that he would not rule out using "military or economic coercion" to achieve that goal.